What are Nylon Washers?

Nylon washers are essential components in the precision engineering landscape, providing a crucial interface between two surfaces. These washers, often used in fastening applications, are designed to distribute the load of a threaded fastener, such as a precision screw, reducing stress and preventing wear on the contact surfaces.

The smooth, non-conductive nature of nylon washers makes them particularly valuable in applications where electrical insulation, vibration dampening or corrosion resistance is critical. Available in various shapes, including flat and shoulder designs, nylon washers ensure a tight, secure fit while also providing a protective barrier that enhances the longevity of your assemblies.

How Nylon Washers Work

Nylon washers excel in environments where durability and precision are paramount. These components are commonly used in industries such as electronics, automotive, aerospace and even consumer appliances.

For instance, in electronic devices, nylon shoulder washers are often employed to insulate fasteners from electrical components, preventing shorts and safeguarding the circuit. In automotive applications, black nylon washers are frequently used to reduce vibration and noise, contributing to a smoother and quieter operation where aesthetics are also required.

By cushioning the area between the fastener and the material, nylon washers also help to maintain the integrity of surfaces, preventing marring and maintaining the look and structural quality of the assembly.

Materials Nylon Washers Are Made From

Accu’s nylon washers are crafted from a range of high-grade engineering plastics, including Nylon, polyamide and Nylon 6.6, each offering unique benefits depending on the application.

Standard nylon washers, made from general-purpose nylon, are known for their excellent resistance to wear and low friction, making them ideal for dynamic assemblies. Polyamide offers enhanced toughness and resilience, making it suitable for environments where impact resistance is critical. Nylon 6.6, a premium variant, delivers superior thermal stability and mechanical strength, which is particularly useful in high-temperature or high-stress applications.

While all champion most of the same advantages, these slight variants in materials ensure that our nylon washers provide consistent, reliable performance across a range of demanding environments.

Size and Type of Nylon Washers Available

At Accu, our nylon washers are available in a wide range of sizes and types to meet the specific needs of your projects. We offer washers for thread sizes ranging from M2 (2mm) to M37 (37mm), ensuring compatibility with a vast array of fasteners with the most popular being m6 nylon washers.

The thickness of our washers varies from 0.5mm to 5mm, allowing for precise control over the spacing and load distribution in your assemblies.

Our collection includes flat nylon washers, ideal for general use, and nylon shoulder washers, which provide additional support and insulation by extending beyond the fastener's surface. We also offer countersunk variants for applications requiring a flush finish. For those needing a specific blacked-out aesthetic or additional durability, our black nylon washers are an excellent choice, combining functionality with a sleek, modern look.

In addition to our extensive range of nylon washers, we also stock a vast array of different materials such as copper and rubber washers. You may also be interested in our selection of nylon precision screws to complement your washer choice.

Each product is designed with the same commitment to quality and precision that you expect from Accu, ensuring a perfect fit for your engineering needs.

FAQs

Q: Are nylon washers better than rubber washers?

A: Nylon and rubber washers each have their strengths, depending on the application. Nylon is more durable, offering better resistance to wear, heat and chemicals, making it ideal for long-term use in mechanical assemblies. Rubber washers, on the other hand, provide superior flexibility and are better suited for sealing applications where a tight, leak-proof seal is required. The choice between the two depends on the specific needs of your project.

Q: How durable are nylon washers?

A: Nylon is highly durable, offering excellent resistance to abrasion, chemicals and environmental factors like moisture and UV exposure. Its tough, resilient nature makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, including those involving high mechanical stress or prolonged exposure to harsh conditions.

Q: Can you use nylon washers for plumbing?

A: While nylon washers can be used in plumbing applications, they are typically not the first choice. Nylon provides good resistance to moisture and chemicals, making them suitable for non-critical plumbing tasks. However, for applications requiring a watertight seal, such as in pipes and fittings, rubber washers are usually preferred due to their superior sealing capabilities.

Q: Do nylon washers absorb vibration?

A: Yes, nylon washers can help absorb vibration to some extent. Their material properties allow them to cushion and dampen vibrations in assemblies, reducing noise and protecting components from wear. However, for applications where vibration isolation is a primary concern, rubber washers or specialised vibration-damping washers may offer better performance.

Bespoke Nylon Washers Manufacture.

High precision, bespoke manufacture of Nylon Washers to customer specification. State of the art facilities specialising in both small batch prototyping and large scale manufacture.