Pre-tightening torque of Screws

Pre-tightening torque of a screw is a mechanism which gives an initial torque for tighten the bolt,
provided it also develops a pre-load on the bolt. This is the initial step of tightening or locking a fastener.

Torque tightening
It is the application of pre-load of fasteners by turning the fastener's nut. Torque means the amount of
force acting on an object which cause the object to rotate.

Pre-load
Pre-load means when the torque is applied to the nut, a compressive stress occur at the joints of the
bolt and it stretches the bolt, these forces which developed on the bolt are known as Pre-load. The
amount of preload is created when the value of torque is large depending on the effects of friction. The
Friction acts opposite to the direction of motion applied. If the friction is high, the conversion of torque
to preload will become low. This can be avoided by lubricating the bolt, it also avoids the failure of bolt
during tightening

Pre-load = Applied torque - frictional losses

Locking of Screws

The purpose of locking is to prevent the loosening of the mating components which maybe operating in
conditions of varying stress, temperature or vibration. The effectiveness of the locking is often critical to
the safety of the mechanism. In some cases, screws will have a tendency to loosen up because of the
vibrations and other forces, it causes the assembly to fail. So to avoid this, locking of the fasteners is
used. So that the preload won't be lost. The primary function of a locking system is to prevent backing
off when the axial load is lost.

Some of the screws may have self locking property and some may not have self locking property.
Large Frictional forces acting on the surfaces cause self-locking of the fasteners, which means the
applied torque will turn the shaft but no axial load against it will cause to turn back in the other way,
even if the applied torque is zero. Threaded screws are widely used because of its self locking property.

Non - locking screws, in these types of screws due to high pitch and good lubrication the
frictional force will be very low. Hence, the self weight of the screw will act on it and moves backward.
This causes the assembly to fail.
For example : Consider a lever, If the force on the load end is too large, then it will move backwards
doing work upon the applied force.
Self Locking Screws

Most screws are designed to be self-locking, and in the absence of torque on the shaft, it will stay in
whatever position they are left. Self locking property is one of the main reason for the very large use of
threaded screws such as wood screws, sheet metal screws, bolts etc. When using threaded screws the
parts get's fastened together, but no amount of force from the parts will cause the screw to loosen up.

Even heavy objects can be lifted by using a screw drive mechanism. A screw will be self locking if it's
efficiency is below 50% and also when the coefficient of friction is greater than or equal to the
tangent of thread lead angle ( f tan )
- thread lead angle
f - coefficient of friction

Principles of Locking Methods

There are two main principles used for locking, friction and positive locking.

Note : Locking system using friction should be selected with care because it may work
under high vibration, so friction between the surfaces can be reduced. The overall safety
and reliability of a machine is significantly affected by the selection of appropriate locking
systems.

Locking Methods :

Friction Locking : Positive Locking :

1. Locking Nut / Jam Nut 1.Castle nuts

2. Simmonds Nut 2.Hex Nut with a cap screw or a lock plate and tab washer
3. Bearing locknuts 3.Wire Locking
4. Shake proof Washers 4.Spilt Beam nut with a split pin
5. Spring Washer 5.Helicoil Inserts
6. Tab Washers
7. Locking Plates
8. Slotted Nuts
9. Contoured Thread
10. Thread Locking Adhesives
11. Taper thread
12. Plastic Inserts