The locknut is also called a lock nut, locking nut, or prevailing torque nut. It is a nut that shows resistance for loosening if high pressure and torque are applied. Prevailing torque nuts come with some part that gets deformed for providing strong locking. In this post, we will cover details, features, and types of locknuts. Let’s get started with Introduction to the locknut
What is Locknut?
- Locknuts inner design comes with a thread fastener that comes with locking features.
- The design of locknuts is such that it avoids loosening when subjected to vibration or torque.
- Some types of locknuts that get deshaped for providing locking action are elastic stop nuts and prevailing torque nuts.
- The main purpose of locknuts is to avoid vibration from loosening bolted joints.
- The prevailing torque lock nut has prevailing torque features to de-shape elastically and avoid free spinning as the standard nut does.
- Flexloc style and polymer insert lock nut are the main types of prevailing torque lock nuts.
- The composition of the Flexloc nut is made with a metallic composition and has a segmented collar that makes 6 locking fingers that are used as a spring.
Working of lock nut
The working of the lock nut is based on its two main types, which are.
Friction between mating threads
- Lock nuts that use friction are made with pitted or flanged grooves and use high torque for loosening and tightening. They don’t spin easily with the astener shaft since they clamp down when they rotate.
- So provide longer assembly for devices; they are a lower-cost option than others.
- This type of nut is known as prevailing torque nuts since the resistance for rotation is when assembly and removal.
Positive locking device
- These nuts come with locks and are easy to rotate for loosening and tightening of assembly. It is locked at a certain point with the use of positive action.
- Some lock nuts needed inserting a pin, and others have small lips that move inward during installation for a strong grip of the shaft. For providing strong and high-speed assembly, these locknuts are used.
Lock Nuts working with Nylon Inserts
- There is a nylon insert used for hex lock nuts at the top of the nut, making tension for the nut and threads of the mating component. When the nut is threaded on the shaft, spin it freely until the threads from the host component are configured with the nylon insert.
- Thread of mating shaft provides resistance through displacing nylon. That resistance avoids unintentional movement of the locknut.
- The nylon is conventional hex lock nuts, causing wear and less efficiency due to many installations and removals.
- For getting good power, replace the nut if needed to remove it at the time of disassembly of a component.
Different Types of Lock nut
Nylon Insert Lock Nuts
- This type of locknut comes with an insert ring that is made with polyamide nylon in the crown of the nut that is crimped at the point. When we thread the bolt through, the threads dig into the nylon that, after that, apply pressure on the screw to avoid the bolt vibrating loose.
- The downside is non-metallic materials make nuts sensitive to temperature and chemicals. For installation, there is a need for a power tool or wrench.
- That locking ring can put in hex nuts, flange nuts, and cap nuts. Not used these nuts again since the ring is damaged at the time of installation.
- In some conditions, nuts can be reused, but they become weakened when put back since nylon is wasted.
Castellated nut
- The castellated nut known as a castle nut, which has slots cut on one side. These nuts are also called castigate nuts. Castellated nuts are made with a round shape at the upper part where slots exist.
- Slotted nuts do not come with a round design; the flat side of slotted nuts is extended from the upper part to the lower part of the nut.
- Both castellated and slotted nuts are made through the use of a pin that fits through slots and through a hole in the screw that connects with nuts. Pin provides resistance for nuts to be loose and turning.
- Then slotted castellated nuts help the cotter pin connected close to the edges of the nut that has extra safe features.
Slotted Nuts
- The slotted hex nut has the same design as the castle nut; the main difference is their slot design. Slots for cattle nuts are extant on the rounded part of the top. Slotted nuts do not have these features.
- For slotted nut diameter, the slotted part is similar to the wrenching part.
- On the castle nut, the cathelted part diameter of the slotted area is like the wrenching part.
- For cattle, the nut castellated part diameter is smaller than the wrenching part.
- For slotted nuts, cotter pins are pushed in the slot. Slotted nuts come with safety wire rather than cotter pins and are like wire lock nuts.
Jam Nuts
- Jam nuts are the special type of lock nuts, but they are mistakenly called locknuts. Thes nuts used for making locks, for that purpose, jam nutsare used with another nut.
- Where both nuts tighten with each other, and both become jammed and called jam nuts.
- It is considered that not using a jam nut before the other nut that is thick in diameter and fitted on top. When two nuts are tighter to each other, a thread in a jam nut through the moving provides some clamping forces.
PM Nuts
- This type of nut was used as a pated and made by NKR Precision in Michigan decades ago. These nut locks are made with a special type of alloy for accurate compression.
- These nuts work through installation nuts with the two metallic parts and bolt compressing the nut; it slowly makes the nut with points digging into the metallic surface.
- These nuts are also made with rounded corners but do not operate well. The accurate PM nuts come with a share corner.
Pin Locking Nut
- The pin locking nut is made with a complete metallic design, and it is a self-locking nut that provides features for a stainless steel ratchet pin.
- The pin is drilled through the side of the nuts and bent over the edge, and the tip of the pin is put in the thread of the fastener, providing locking.
- The nut base also comes with a notch cut. The ratchet pin slides over threads as the nut is threaded on the bolt which avoids the nut from backing off.
- There is an unbreakable ratchet pin that also saves damage to fastener threads, and there is a galvanized component that controls galvanizing and provides strong locking torque.
- Some of these types of nuts help the ratchet pin to bend so the nut can easily be removed when needed. This nut is used for structural nuts.
Plate Locking Nuts
- This nut design is like a thin metallic plate. Through the use of a screw set, rotation is controlled about the nut after the nuts are strongly tightened. The plate comes with a hole that is normally 12-sided, used for easy setting. The set screw is used for stroking the locking plate and making a connection with the spring washer. For locking two nuts at the same time, double-sided locking plates are used.
Serrated Hex Nut
- It is a regular hex nut that is serrated on the upper part of the plate surface. It is serrated on one or two sides. They are used where a serrated flange nut is wider to use. It is high cost and difficult to get.
Regular Nut and Lock Nut
- Regular nuts come with one thread pattern on a single side and are not tightened with two wrenches for a strong connection like locknuts.
- They are used where there is not a need for an extra strong connection, like furniture, where the component faces fewer vibrations.
- The cost of regular nuts is lower than locknuts since they need more materials and provide certain features. such as serrated flanges for more gap. They are easy to connect since they use a single wrench instead of two for tightening.
Lock Nut Features
- The main feature of lock nuts is that they have fewer chances for looseness as compared to regular nuts. Since threads on the inside help to strongly grip the bolt, avoid moving. Locknuts also have different materials, so they can be used based on certain uses.
Regular Nut Features
- The main feature of regular nuts is that they are low cost. With that, they come in different material compositions to be selected based on applications.
Lock Nut Limitations
- The main limitation of lock nuts is that they are difficult to remove when they are strongly tightened. Since grooves on the inner side can grip the bolt strongly. With that, lock nuts are only used when they are removed.
Regular Nut Limitations
- They are less effective for avoiding bolts or screws from becoming loose. Since there is no groove or thread on the inner side grip bolt properly. Regular nuts are also refused one time when removed.
FAQs
What are the types of locking nuts?
- Nylon Insert Lock Nuts.
- Serrated Flange Lock Nuts.
- Jam Nuts.
- 2-Way Lock Nuts
- All Metal Top Lock Nuts
- Flex Lock Nuts
- K-Lock Nuts
What are the uses of locknuts?
- Lock nuts are used for securing gears, belt pulleys, and the connection of machine components. Lock nuts needed to be strongly connected to avoid any loosening through locking devices that face the keyway for the shaft in the adapter sleeve.
How do pin lock nuts work?
- Nylon locking nuts are easy to connect but have good resistance for loosening. Friction heated and made a soft nylon insert at the time of installation, providing a deshaped thread of a screw. After cooling, the nylon insert becomes hard and locks the fastener in position.
What is the best type of lock nut?
- For heavy-duty and industrial applications, all metallic lock nuts, like stainless steel lock nuts, zinc, or brass, are used. Part nylon or all-plastic lock nuts are used for different applications. provide torque forces since work in harsh conditions
What are 4 methods for locking nuts, bolts, and screws?
- Split ring washers.
- Nylon insert nuts.
- Double nuts.
- Serrated washers.
- Tooth lock washers.
What is a locknut tool?
- The locknut wrench is made to provide good locknut functions. Fitting of UL locknuts done through the design of locknuts in tight spaces. Loosen or tighten the locknut by rotating the wrench in the direction of both ends.
Read more
