Wave Washers

Wave washers were designed and developed to pre-load bearings in electric motors. They have since found many other uses throughout industry. Wave washers offer a neat solution for situations where space is limited, or only small deflections are required.

We have a comprehensive standard range and capability to manufacture bespoke sizes.

• Outside diameter up to 400mm
• Thickness from 0.05mm to 4mm
• Extensive range of materials
• Standard ranges for popular bearing sizes

Curved wavy metal rings, wave washers (or wave spring washers) act like flexible springs. They maintain tension and absorb shock while preventing fasteners from loosening.

What are wave spring washers?

Disc-shaped springs, wave spring washers are compact components that employ a wave pattern to supply precise axial load in a confined area. They are an ideal solution for use in applications where both deflection and force control are essential in a minimal profile.

Key benefits of wave spring washers

Wave washers can fit into extremely thin axial spaces where standard coil springs cannot. They can distribute pressure more evenly over a surface compared to other components like split lock washers. They can also resolve gaps that result from loose tolerances or manufacturing flaws. 

Common application of wave spring washers

Modern manufacturing processes frequently involve the installation of wave spring washers. This washer style is employed to preload ball bearings and can extend the active service life of bearings while reducing equipment noise.

In electronics, wave spring washers help maintain continuous contact pressure on printed circuit boards and inside connectors. They are also a mainstay in both the aerospace and automotive sectors. 

Within the industry, wave washers can be found in seals, gear systems, clutches and gaskets, where they effectively manage dynamic vibrations. 

Types of wave spring washers

There are three main types of wave spring washer. Cost-effective and strong, stamped wave spring washers are ideal for moderate preload, while coiled wave spring washers are a variant that can evenly distribute forces.

Finally, multi-wave spring washers have multiple wave structures within a single washer. Consequently, they provide similar performance levels to stacked single washers, but aren’t stacked, so they efficiently save space while supplying high spring force.

Do you need high-quality wave spring washers?

Specialists in bespoke spring manufacturing at SpringXpert, we stock more than 20,000 product types. Connect with us now for a reliable supply of wave spring washers and enjoy a fast turnaround on your order and delivery.