Skruvlocks

Skruvlocks is a term used to describe a family of screw-based locking devices designed to prevent fasteners from loosening under vibration and static load. They encompass both chemical and mechanical solutions that can be integrated into fasteners, nuts, or panel assemblies, and are used across consumer products, machinery, and automotive industries.

Common designs include thread-locking compounds applied to male threads to create a bond that resists loosening, nylon inserts within nuts (nylon locking nuts) that deform to grip the screw, and mechanical features such as serrated washers, locking caps, or captive nuts that maintain preload. Some solutions are designed for disassembly with standard tools, while others employ security or one-way forms to deter tampering.

Applications: Skruvlocks are widely used in enclosures and furniture to maintain panel alignment, in electrical and electronics housings to ensure connector integrity, in automotive and aerospace assemblies to cope with vibration, and in general machinery where regular maintenance is required.

Considerations: The choice of Skruvlock varies with material, operating temperature, exposure to solvents, and required disassembly. Thread-locking compounds can complicate future maintenance and may degrade with heat or chemical exposure; nylon inserts can wear over time; mechanical locking elements add thickness or cost and may affect torque requirements.

History and nomenclature: The concept emerged with the adoption of thread-locking adhesives and locking fasteners in mid-20th century engineering practice, and "skruvlocks" is a generic Swedish term often used to refer to these locking strategies in Nordic manufacturing contexts.