Schraubverriegelungen

Schraubverriegelungen, also known as screw locks or threaded fasteners with locking mechanisms, are mechanical devices designed to prevent loosening of threaded fasteners due to vibration, shock, or thermal expansion. They are crucial in applications where the integrity of a connection is paramount and failure due to unsecured fasteners could lead to significant damage or safety hazards.

There are various types of Schraubverriegelungen. Common examples include lock washers, such as split lock washers and toothed lock washers, which create a spring tension that resists loosening. Thread-locking compounds, often referred to as "thread lockers," are liquid adhesives applied to the threads of a fastener before assembly. These compounds cure to form a strong bond that resists vibration. Other methods involve specialized nuts and bolts, such as prevailing torque nuts (e.g., nylon insert nuts or all-metal prevailing torque nuts) that exert a frictional force against the bolt threads, and castle nuts or slotted nuts which are secured with a cotter pin passing through a drilled hole in the bolt. Wire locking, where a safety wire is threaded through holes in fasteners and twisted, is another robust method for critical applications.

The selection of a Schraubverriegelung depends on factors like the anticipated vibration levels, temperature extremes, required disassembly frequency, and the size and type of fastener. Proper application is essential for their effectiveness, ensuring the locking mechanism is correctly installed and engaged. These devices are widely used in automotive, aerospace, industrial machinery, and construction industries.