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How to Select the Right Belleville Washers

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Polly

Dec. 16, 2024
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How to Select the Right Belleville Washers

Belleville washer s help keep bolted connections tight. They preserve bolt integrity, particularly in areas that must bear a heavy load. They allow for high load capacity, relative to deflection and available space within the application. American Belleville can provide Belleville washers of limitless dimensional configurations and load/deflection ratings. In some instances, the addition of a flat washer increases the effectiveness of a Belleville disc spring by helping to spread the load.

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A Belleville lock washer is a type of spring in the shape of a washer. They are sometimes known as a conical spring washer, Belleville spring, disc spring, coned-disc spring, or cupped spring washer. Belleville Washers allow for high load capacity and protect against vibration, thermal expansion, relaxation, and bolt creep issues. Learn how to select the right Belleville washers and why to work with American Belleville for your Belleville washer needs.

How Do Belleville Washers Work?

Belleville washers apply pressure to bolted connections once you clamp down on them with the proper amount of force. The advantage of this washer is that it applies clamping pressure along a continuous arc pattern, instead of concentrating it at one point, to prevent stress on bolts and washers. Uneven bolt stress can leave some connections loose, while others are overtightened and crush the gasket. This can cause severe service leaks, especially in high-temperature services when the heavily loaded bolts relax. The same goes for excessive vibration, which can loosen flange bolts and ultimately cause flange leakage.

Most often, you&#;ll find Belleville washers in applications where you have conditions of high current loading or cycling. These washers accommodate for thermal cycling, but they can&#;t eliminate all the problems resulting from poor workmanship. You must prepare the joint properly (as with any connection), but the key is selecting the proper design and size of Belleville washer for the fasteners and conditions of your application.

Which Type of Belleville Washers Do I Need?

Consider three parameters to select the right Belleville washer: torque, diameter, and finish. Visit our products pages to find this information in each product&#;s specifications.

Torque

This is the force you need to place on the bolt to flatten the washer for proper clamping. To make a tight connection, you must tighten the connection to the point where its threads just start to deform. Bolts of various hardness, diameter, and material configurations require varying amounts of torque to reach that tightness; this is the same with Belleville washers.

Make the torque for your Belleville washers match that of your bolts to make sure they&#;re working together. If you exceed a locking washer&#;s torque, you can destroy the locking washer. And if you under torque, you won&#;t make use of the washer&#;s abilities to provide a reliable connection.

Diameter

A Belleville washer generates a clamping force along the tip of its cup perimeter. A correct diameter is important because if it&#;s too big and the cup overhangs the connection, you&#;ll have much less clamping force than you need. Search our Belleville Washer product listing to find the diameter you need. If you can&#;t find a perfect fit on our website, simply contact us and we&#;ll find the solution you need.

Finish

You can usually select a standard finish for a Belleville washer. However, if there are any process fumes or solvents present, the wrong finish can result in a connection that falls apart. For example, electroplated Belleville washers become brittle in the presence of hydrogen. If you subject a hydrogen-exposed electroplated washer to impact or severe vibration, that washer will break into pieces. If you have questions or concerns about your application, please connect with us to discuss your options.

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An Overview of Belleville Washers

Belleville washers answer by many names:  Belleville spring washer, cupped spring washer, coned-disc spring, conical spring washer, and disc spring. These unique conical-shaped metal discs support heavy loads with minimal deflection. They are a superb choice for applications that require high load bearing capacity, yet need resistance to vibrations and thermal expansion. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the design, application, advantages, disadvantages of the Belleville washer. We will also provide information on how to choose the right washer for your needs.

Belleville washers' distinct spring-like, conical shape allow them to compress and exert and equal amount of force in response to heavy loads. Unlike conventional helical springs with multiple coils, Bellevilles deflect into a flattened state when the load is applied. This secures the load better and provides resilience against vibrations and other adverse conditions. These washers are the preferred choice when working with heavy loads in confined spaces or when specific spring load requirements need to be met. Bellevilles are not a good choice for very light loads though, because they won&#;t deflect correctly.

Additional reading:
Best Metal Stamping Materials Selection

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Applications of Belleville Washers

These versatile washers were originally conceived from the works of Julien Belleville in . Some of their first uses included landmines, artillery, and bolt action rifles.

Today, Belleville washers serve in a wide range of industries:  aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, valve manufacturing, energy, and medical industries. Their use has expanded from military applications to civilian uses. Some notable applications include:

  1. Automotive Industry: They support pistons and cylinders in automobiles, reducing vibrations and noise while ensuring the integrity of the mechanical components.
  2. Construction: Stacks of these washers are used under buildings as vibration dampers, especially in areas prone to seismic activity.
  3. Aerospace Industry: They are employed to indicate swelling or shrinkage of wooden propellers in aircraft, enhancing safety and performance.
  4. Manufacturing: In manufacturing processes, these washers help maintain stability and prevent thermal expansion, ensuring machinery functions optimally.

How Belleville Washers Work

The unique conical shape of Belleville washers allows them to function as springs, compressing and providing resistance when bolts and nuts are tightened. Their convex shape ensures optimal axial loading, making them highly efficient in distributing loads evenly and absorbing shocks. When properly chosen and installed, Belleville washers can enhance the reliability of machinery and prevent bolt failures.

Belleville washers achieve different loads and deflections depending upon the ways they are stacked and used together.

  1. If you stack Bellevilles facing the same direction, you increase the load capacity. Two washers double the load, three washers triple it, and so forth.
  2. If you stack Bellevilles so they face in opposite directions, you increase deflection. Two washer double the deflection, three washers triple it, and so forth.
  3. If you combine the above stacking methods you increase the load capacity and the deflection. An example would be stacking two sets of parallel washers facing opposite directions.

Belleville washers can also be used with flat washers.

Design and Manufacture of Belleville Washers

Belleville washers are manufactured in compliance with DIN and DIN. DIN governs calculations for predictable deflection based on loads. DIN especially applies to heavy-duty Belleville washers used in static functions like bolted joint tightening.

Presetting is a critical step in the manufacturing process, where the washer is momentarily flattened to reduce its original unloaded height. Preset Belleville washers are typically used to maintain load or tension in bolted assemblies.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Belleville Washers

Belleville washers offer several advantages, including the ability to conserve space, provide a long service life, work in conjunction with coiled springs, and distribute loads evenly. They also excel in absorbing shocks, preventing bolt failures, and maintaining the positioning accuracy of ball bearings. However, it is crucial to choose the right washer for your application. Using them inappropriately can lead to disadvantages such as excessive compression for lighter loads.

How to Choose the Correct Belleville Washer

Selecting the right Belleville washer for your application involves considering factors like load, environment, and bolt size. To choose the correct washer, follow these steps:

  1. Determine the Load: Calculate the load the washer will bear to determine the required spring rate and deflection.
  2. Select the Material: Choose a material that can withstand the environmental conditions of your application, such as high temperatures or corrosive agents.
  3. Choose the Right Size: Ensure the washer fits snugly around the bolt, providing adequate support.

Conclusion

Belleville washers are essential components in numerous industries, offering reliable load bearing and shock-absorption capabilities. Their unique design, conical shape, and ability to distribute loads evenly make them a valuable choice for a wide range of applications. To harness the full potential of Belleville washers, it's crucial to select the right type, size, and material for your specific needs and to consider the appropriate stacking method. With their versatility and effectiveness, Belleville washers play a significant role in enhancing the reliability and performance of machinery and equipment across various sectors.

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