Lock Nuts for Vibration-Resistant, Secure Fastening in Dynamic Mechanical Systems
In high-vibration environments such as engines, machinery, automotive suspensions, or aerospace components, maintaining a secure threaded joint is critical. Lock Nuts are specifically engineered to prevent loosening due to shock, dynamic loads, or thermal cycling, offering reliable, fail-safe fastening.
At Dongguan Sango Hardware Fasteners Co., Ltd., we produce a full spectrum of lock nuts—from nylon insert types to all-metal prevailing torque variants—designed to meet demanding standards in transportation, industrial automation, military, and energy applications.
1. What Is a Lock Nut?
A Lock Nut is a threaded fastener designed with additional features to resist loosening under vibration or torque. It may achieve this via mechanical deformation, friction, chemical adhesion, or insert materials, ensuring maintained clamping force without relying solely on torque preload.
🔩 Key Benefits:
- Prevents unintentional loosening in dynamic environments
- Supports reusable or permanent joints
- Compatible with standard bolts and studs
- Available in low-profile, high-strength, and corrosion-resistant variants
- Often used with or without washers
2. Common Types of Lock Nuts
🔹 Nylon Insert Lock Nut (Nylock Nut)
- Contains a nylon ring that interferes with the bolt thread
- Cost-effective and widely used in automotive and appliances
🔹 All-Metal Lock Nut (Prevailing Torque)
- Uses deformed threads, slit top, or elliptical bore for self-locking
- Suitable for high-temperature or chemical exposure environments
🔹 Serrated Flange Lock Nut
- Serrated washer face bites into mating surface to resist rotation
- Common in power tools, frames, rail systems
🔹 K-Lock Nut / Kep Nut
- Built-in free-spinning washer with locking teeth
- Ideal for electrical cabinets, light-duty assemblies
🔹 Double Jam Lock Nut
- Uses two nuts tightened together for mechanical resistance
- Used in axial load systems and shaft assemblies
3. Applications of Lock Nuts
Lock nuts are used wherever vibration, shock, or cyclic loading could loosen a standard nut:
- 🚗 Automotive suspension, brake systems, engine mounts
- 🛠️ Rotating machinery, compressors, pumps, vibration platforms
- ✈️ Aerospace structures, wing fasteners, engine nacelles
- ⚡ Wind turbines, solar trackers, energy infrastructure
- 📦 Rail systems, elevators, industrial robots, cranes
4. Material and Finish Options
| Material | Features | Best Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Steel (Grade 8–12) | Strong, cost-effective | Machinery, vehicles, infrastructure |
| Stainless Steel (304/316) | Corrosion-resistant, reusable | Marine, food, cleanroom, outdoor systems |
| Brass | Conductive and corrosion-resistant | Electronics, telecommunications |
| Nylon Insert | Non-metallic, friction locking | Consumer goods, general industrial use |
| Titanium Alloy | Lightweight, high strength, corrosion-proof | Aerospace, medical, motorsports |
Finish options:
- Zinc plating for basic corrosion protection
- Black oxide for low glare and mild rust resistance
- Hot-dip galvanizing for outdoor structural use
- Passivation (for stainless steel) to enhance durability
- Color-coded nylon inserts for size/polarity identification
5. Customization from Sango Hardware
We offer:
- 📏 Thread sizes: M3 to M36 or #6–1 1/2"
- 📐 Heights: Standard, thin (low-profile), heavy-duty
- ⚙️ Locking styles: Nylon insert, elliptical, slit top, serrated flange
- 🧩 Metric/imperial standards: DIN 985, DIN 982, ISO 7040, ANSI B18.16.3
- 🔧 Special coatings: Anti-vibration resin, color-coded plastic caps
Also supported:
- OEM markings or logo engraving
- CAD files + pull-off torque test reports
- RoHS/REACH documents + global logistics service
6. Case Study: Lock Nuts in Wind Turbine Tower Bolting
Client: Renewable energy equipment manufacturer (Northern Europe)
Problem: Standard nuts on tower bolts were loosening under cyclic wind load and temperature fluctuations
Sango Solution:
- Supplied M20 all-metal prevailing torque lock nuts with elliptical thread bore, hot-dip galvanized finish
- Included salt spray test, vibration retention report, and torque-loss curve
Result:
- Improved retention under dynamic stress by 85%
- Increased maintenance interval by 2×
- Became approved supplier across turbine product lines
7. Why Choose Sango Hardware for Lock Nuts?
🏭 Cold Heading + Precision Thread Forming
- Reliable locking geometry and roundness consistency
🧪 Lock Performance Testing
- Prevailing torque, reusability cycles, vibration endurance, corrosion testing
📐 Technical Support for Dynamic Design
- Torque/load specs, washer pairing, mating bolt consultation
📦 Global Export-Grade Fulfillment
- ISO 9001 certified; RoHS / REACH compliant; with custom labeling and packing
8. Conclusion: Secure Your Assembly with Confidence Using Lock Nuts
From rail lines to robot arms, Lock Nuts offer an added layer of safety against vibration, shock, and thread loosening. Sango Hardware delivers both standard and customized lock nut solutions engineered for performance, safety, and durability in your toughest applications.
Contact Dongguan Sango Hardware Fasteners Co., Ltd. today to secure your operations with trusted lock nut technology.