HEICO-LOCK®
Reaction Washers

Effective protection against self-loosening of large bolted joints

Large bolted joints with a nominal size ≥ M24 (1”) can only be tightened by hand with great effort. The torque required to tighten the connection is simply too high, so electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically operated torque tools must be used.
However, the use of a high-torque tool, which traditionally transfers the reaction torque that occurs when tightening via a supporting reaction arm, represents a major safety risk even for experienced operators. HEICO-LOCK® Reaction Washers enable safe and convenient tightening of large bolted joints with commercially available electric, pneumatic and hydraulic torque tools – without requiring an additional reaction arm resp. other awkward mounts on the tool or component.

The reaction torque of the torque tool is supported by a special dual socket that interlocks with the gear-shaped outer contour of the HEICO-LOCK® Reaction Washers. As a result, the tightening torque is introduced axially with-out an additional bending moment acting on the bolt during tightening. At the same time, the reaction washers, like all locking devices in the HEICO-LOCK® product range, offer an effective and permanent protection against self-loosening due to vibration and dynamic loads that often occur in machines and systems during operation.

Initiation of damaging bending moments with conventional
tightening methods using a reaction arm/counterholder

Advantages

• Easy and quick assembly – HEICO-LOCK®  Reaction Washers are already glued in pairs
• Precise tightening due to low friction coefficient variation
• Reliable and permanent protection against self-loosening of the bolt or nut
• No need for additional reaction arms or mounts
  -Prevention of accidents at work (e.g. pinching/crushing of the fingers, injuries caused by the tool slipping, etc.)
  -No damage to adjacent surfaces caused by the reaction arm (e.g. damage to the anti-corrosive coating, deformations or breakages due to high contact forces)
• The tightening torque is applied axially - no harmful bending moments
• Dual sockets adapted to easily fit powered tools from most well-known tool manufacturers

Use with HEICO-ONE safety-Washer

In order to use HEICO-LOCK® Reaction Washers with through-bolt connections, without physically securing/counter-holding the passive side, we recommend also using the innovative HEICO-ONE Safety-Washer. The HEICO-ONE Safety-Washer is a friction-based, securing backup washer with wave-shaped locking ribs on both sides. It is mounted on the passive side between the nut/bolt head and the bearing surface. This effectively prevents the bolt or nut from rotating while tightening.

Click here to find out more about our HEICO-ONE Safety-Washer!