Washer components are common hardware pieces, typically coming in the form of a thin plate that has a hole in the middle. When paired with a threaded fastener such as a bolt or nut, the washer serves to distribute loads for the benefit of an assembly. Beyond such a role, washers may also operate as a spacer, wear pad, locking device, preload indicating device, or vibration reducer. Washers may be constructed from various materials such as metal and plastic, and they come in numerous forms to facilitate the operations of different systems. Plain and spring washers are two common variations, each of which differ from one another to benefit varying needs. In this blog, we will discuss the differences between each so that you may better understand the roles that they play. Read more >>