Fatigue Resistance of Carbon Steel Spring Lock Washers

The fatigue properties of carbon steel are affected by its carbon content, alloy composition and heat treatment process. Commonly used carbon steel washers are medium carbon steel or high carbon steel. Proper heat treatment of medium carbon steel can significantly improve its fatigue resistance. Through processes such as quenching and tempering, carbon steel can obtain higher tensile strength and toughness, thereby extending its service life under high stress.

Due to its higher hardness and strength, high carbon steel has higher fatigue resistance and is suitable for environments with higher loads and strong vibrations. However, high carbon steel has relatively low toughness and is prone to brittle fracture under extreme fatigue conditions. Therefore, reasonable heat treatment processes, such as low-temperature tempering, are usually required to balance strength and toughness to ensure better resistance. Fatigue.

Effect of structural design on fatigue performance
The design structure of carbon steel spring lock washers also affects its fatigue resistance. The "opening" design of the gasket allows it to generate elasticity when compressed and resist loosening caused by external forces. This design maintains bolt preload by applying continuous axial pressure to the bolt.

By improving the geometry of the spring washer, such as optimizing the fillet radius or thickness distribution at the opening, stress concentration can be effectively reduced, thereby improving the fatigue resistance of the washer. Uniform material distribution and flawless machining are also key factors in ensuring that the gasket does not suffer from fatigue fracture during long-term use.

Effect of surface treatment on fatigue resistance
The fatigue resistance of carbon steel can also be improved through surface treatment processes. Because carbon steel materials are prone to micro-cracks under stress, these micro-cracks often start from the surface. Surface treatments such as zinc plating, phosphating or nickel plating can not only improve corrosion resistance, but also reduce the impact of surface defects on fatigue crack growth. Surface coatings fill microscopic material defects and reduce stress concentration points, thereby delaying the initiation and expansion of fatigue cracks.