How It Works
How It Works
Wedge Washer® is designed to prevent bolted joints from loosening under vibration and dynamic loading by using a mechanical locking principle.
Each washer set is supplied as a pre-assembled pair. The outer faces feature hardened serrations that grip into the bolt head, nut, and joint surface during tightening.
The inner faces feature angled cams with a cam angle steeper than the thread pitch. Once tightened, any loosening force must act through these cam faces, creating a wedge effect that increases clamp load rather than reducing it.
The joint can only be released by deliberate untightening, forcing the cams over one another. No re-tightening is required.
Features & Benefits
- Corrosion resistant Grade 316L stainless steel
- Pitting resistance equivalent number (PREN) 27
- Resists vibration and dynamic loading (DIN 25201)
- Maintains preload and clamping force
- Eliminates need for re-tightening
- Surface hardened to ≥700HV0.1
- Suitable for A4-70 and A4-80 fasteners
- Temperature range -256°F to 932°F
- Easy to install, no special tools required
- Sizes M3 to M80, standard and large OD
Common Questions
Do I need one Wedge Washer or two?
There is no single torque value suitable for every application. Material strength, friction, clamping length, and embedment all influence the final result. When using stainless materials we always recommend using a lubricant to avoid thread galling. Tightening torque and clamp load guidelines for grades A2 and A4 fasteners are provided in the Wedge Washer® brochure. Each critical bolted joint should be analyzed individually by a design engineer.
What torque should I use with stainless steel Wedge Washers?
Grade 316 provides superior corrosion resistance, making it ideal for marine, offshore, and harsh industrial environments.
What is the difference between 316 and 316L?
The L designates the low carbon version of 316 stainless steel, which improves corrosion resistance. Grade 316L is made to EN 1.4404 or equivalent and is often referred to as A4 stainless or marine grade stainless steel. Its pitting resistance equivalent number is PREN 27.
Can Wedge Washers be reused?
Wedge Washers are supplied as a pre-glued pair for correct first installation. The adhesive ensures correct orientation and has no technical function once installed. If removed, the washers separate into two pieces and must be reinstalled correctly, with the cam faces together and the serrated faces facing outward.
Which industries use 316L Wedge Washers?
Grade 316L Wedge Washers are commonly specified in food and beverage, marine and coastal, chemical and petrochemical, medical, architectural facades, and pulp and paper applications, among many others.
Where can I find full Wedge Washer specifications and torque data?
Complete dimension tables, tightening torque and clamp load guidelines for grades A2 and A4 fasteners, Junker Test performance data to DIN 25201, and installation guidance are all available in the Wedge Washer® catalog. Download the Wedge Washer® Catalog (PDF), or contact our engineering team for application-specific support.
Measurements & Specifications
Stainless Steel Grade 316L
| Washer Code | Bolt Size (Metric) | Bolt Size (US) | Inner Diameter (in.) | Outer Diameter (in.) | Thickness (in.) | Approx. Weight (lb/100 pairs) | Select QTY | Add to Quote Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WW-M3SS | M3 | #5 | 0.134 | 0.276 | 0.087 | 0.09 | ||
| WW-M3.5SS | M3.5 | #6 | 0.154 | 0.299 | 0.087 | 0.09 | ||
| WW-3.5LDSS | M3.5 | #6 | 0.154 | 0.354 | 0.087 | 0.15 | ||
| WW-M4SS | M4 | #8 | 0.173 | 0.299 | 0.087 | 0.09 | ||
| WW-M4LDSS | M4 | #8 | 0.173 | 0.354 | 0.087 | 0.15 | ||
| WW-M5SS | M5 | #10 | 0.213 | 0.354 | 0.087 | 0.13 | ||
| WW-M5LDSS | M5 | #10 | 0.213 | 0.425 | 0.087 | 0.24 | ||
| WW-M6SS | M6 | 0.256 | 0.425 | 0.087 | 0.20 | |||
| WW-M6LDSS | M6 | 0.256 | 0.531 | 0.079 | 0.35 | |||
| WW-1/4"SS | 1/4" | 0.283 | 0.453 | 0.087 | 0.20 | |||
| WW-1/4"LDSS | 1/4" | 0.283 | 0.531 | 0.087 | 0.33 | |||
| WW-M8SS | M8 | 5/16" | 0.343 | 0.531 | 0.079 | 0.26 | ||
| WW-M8LDSS | M8 | 5/16" | 0.343 | 0.654 | 0.079 | 0.49 | ||
| WW-3/8"SS | 3/8" | 0.406 | 0.654 | 0.079 | 0.42 | |||
| WW-M3/8"LDSS | 3/8" | 0.406 | 0.827 | 0.079 | 0.84 | |||
| WW-M10SS | M10 | 0.421 | 0.654 | 0.079 | 0.40 | |||
| WW-M10LDSS | M10 | 0.421 | 0.827 | 0.079 | 0.82 | |||
| WW-M11SS | M11 | 7/16" | 0.449 | 0.728 | 0.087 | 0.57 | ||
| WW-M12SS | M12 | 0.512 | 0.768 | 0.079 | 0.55 | |||
| WW-M12LDSS | M12 | 0.512 | 1.000 | 0.118 | 1.79 | |||
| WW-1/2"SS | 1/2" | 0.531 | 0.768 | 0.079 | 0.53 | |||
| WW-1/2"LDSS | 1/2" | 0.531 | 1.000 | 0.126 | 1.76 | |||
| WW-M14SS | M14 | 9/16" | 0.598 | 0.906 | 0.118 | 1.08 | ||
| WW-M14LDSS | M14 | 9/16" | 0.598 | 1.209 | 0.126 | 2.89 | ||
| WW-M16SS | M16 | 5/8" | 0.669 | 1.000 | 0.118 | 1.30 | ||
| WW-M16LDSS | M16 | 5/8" | 0.669 | 1.209 | 0.126 | 2.60 | ||
| WW-M18SS | M18 | 0.768 | 1.142 | 0.126 | 1.76 | |||
| WW-M18LDSS | M18 | 0.768 | 1.358 | 0.126 | 3.44 | |||
| WW-3/4"SS | 3/4" | 0.787 | 1.209 | 0.126 | 2.12 | |||
| WW-3/4"LDSS | 3/4" | 0.787 | 1.535 | 0.126 | 4.63 | |||
| WW-M20SS | M20 | 0.843 | 1.209 | 0.126 | 1.96 | |||
| WW-M20LDSS | M20 | 0.843 | 1.535 | 0.126 | 4.54 | |||
| WW-M22SS | M22 | 7/8" | 0.921 | 1.358 | 0.126 | 2.71 | ||
| WW-M22LDSS | M22 | 7/8" | 0.921 | 1.654 | 0.126 | 4.92 | ||
| WW-M24SS | M24 | 0.996 | 1.535 | 0.126 | 3.35 | |||
| WW-M24LDSS | M24 | 0.996 | 1.909 | 0.126 | 7.72 | |||
| WW-1"SS | 1" | 1.098 | 1.535 | 0.126 | 3.13 | |||
| WW-1"LDSS | 1" | 1.098 | 1.909 | 0.126 | 7.10 | |||
| WW-M27SS | M27 | 1.118 | 1.654 | 0.268 | 7.61 | |||
| WW-M27LDSS | M27 | 1.118 | 1.909 | 0.268 | 12.90 | |||
| WW-M30SS | M30 | 1-1/8" | 1.236 | 1.850 | 0.268 | 9.79 | ||
| WW-M30LDSS | M30 | 1-1/8" | 1.236 | 2.303 | 0.268 | 21.01 | ||
| WW-M33SS | M33 | 1-1/4" | 1.354 | 1.909 | 0.268 | 9.37 | ||
| WW-M36SS | M36 | 1-3/8" | 1.472 | 2.165 | 0.268 | 13.14 | ||
| WW-M39SS | M39 | 1-1/2" | 1.591 | 2.303 | 0.268 | 14.86 | ||
| WW-M42SS | M42 | 1.701 | 2.480 | 0.268 | 17.55 | |||
| WW-M45SS | M45 | 1-3/4" | 1.819 | 2.756 | 0.268 | 22.49 | ||
| WW-M48SS | M48 | 1.953 | 2.953 | 0.268 | 26.46 | |||
| WW-M52SS | M52 | 2" | 2.110 | 3.150 | 0.354 | 44.32 | ||
| WW-M56SS | M56 | 2-1/4" | 2.327 | 3.346 | 0.354 | 46.97 | ||
| WW-M60SS | M60 | 2.484 | 3.543 | 0.354 | 51.82 | |||
| WW-M64SS | M64 | 2-1/2" | 2.642 | 3.740 | 0.354 | 56.89 | ||
| WW-M68SS | M68 | 2.799 | 3.937 | 0.354 | 62.18 | |||
| WW-M72SS | M72 | 2.957 | 4.134 | 0.354 | 67.69 | |||
| WW-M76SS | M76 | 3" | 3.114 | 4.331 | 0.354 | 73.43 | ||
| WW-M80SS | M80 | 3-1/8" | 3.272 | 4.528 | 0.354 | 79.38 |
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