Tab Washers from Brass, Copper and Aluminum

Tab Washers from Brass, Copper and Aluminum

We are manufacturers, suppliers, and exporters of Tab Washers in Brass, Copper, and Aluminum from our precision press shop in India. Tab washers are flat pressed washers with one or more bent tabs that serve as mechanical locking elements to prevent bolt or nut loosening under vibration, thermal cycling, and dynamic loading. Also known as locking tab washers, bent tab washers, tab lock washers, single tab washers, multi-tab washers, tab locking plates, and castle tab washers, these components are widely used in the electrical, automotive, aerospace, marine, and mechanical engineering industries.

Our tab washers are pressed from high-quality brass, copper, and aluminium strip in thicknesses from 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm. The tabs are integral to the washer pressing and are bent after assembly over the flat of the bolt head or nut, or into a slot in the component surface, to positively prevent rotation. This provides a reliable, non-friction locking mechanism that does not rely on torque retention alone and is particularly valuable in safety-critical or high-vibration applications.

Types of Tab Washers We Manufacture

Single Tab Washers (External Tab): Washers with one external tab that bends up over the flat of a nut or hexagon head bolt. Most common type, used for general locking applications. Available in metric and imperial bolt sizes.

Single Tab Washers (Internal Tab): Washers with one internal tab that engages a keyway or slot in a shaft or housing, used where the washer must be prevented from rotating while the nut is tightened. Common in bearing lock-nut assemblies, particularly shaft-mounted bearings and spindle assemblies.

Double Tab Washers: Washers with one external and one internal tab, or two external tabs on opposite sides. The internal tab locates in a shaft slot and the external tab bends over the locknut flat. The most positive locking arrangement for bearing and gear assembly applications.

Multi-Tab Locking Washers (Serrated): Washers with multiple small tabs formed around the outer periphery, providing locking in multiple positions and allowing fine angular adjustment. Used in electrical terminal assemblies and precision mechanical assemblies.

Copper Tab Washers (Electrical): Copper tab washers pressed from ETP copper strip, used in electrical earthing and bonding assemblies where the washer must both lock the nut and provide a conductive earth path. The copper tab can be bent to make contact with an earthing conductor or bus bar.

Aluminium Tab Washers: Lightweight locking tab washers pressed from aluminium alloy (6082-T6 or 1050-H14), used in aerospace structures, automotive assemblies, and electronic enclosures where weight minimisation is important.

Brass Tab Washers: Corrosion-resistant brass locking tab washers for marine, outdoor, and chemical environments. Brass provides good corrosion resistance, acceptable conductivity, and easy bending of the tabs during assembly.

Materials and Specifications

Brass tab washers are pressed from CW614N (CZ121 free-cutting brass) or CW508L (CZ108 cartridge brass) strip, typically 0.8 mm to 2.5 mm thick. Copper tab washers use ETP Copper (CW004A / C11000) strip at 0.8 mm to 2.0 mm. Aluminium tab washers are pressed from 1050-H14, 5052-H32, or 6082-T6 alloy strip at 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm thickness. All materials are sourced to BS EN standards with full material certification. Tab washers are supplied in the as-pressed condition (tabs unformed) for assembly by the end user, or pre-bent to the required tab angle on request.

Standard Bolt Sizes and Dimensions

We manufacture tab washers for all standard metric bolt sizes from M4 to M64, including fine thread variants. Imperial sizes from 1/4″ to 2.1/2″ BSW, BSF, UNC, and UNF are also produced. Internal tab (shaft slot) variants are available for shaft keyway widths from 3 mm to 20 mm. Outer diameter of the washer is proportioned to the bolt size in accordance with DIN 93, ISO 7042, BS 3410, and customer-specific standards. Custom outer diameter, tab width, and tab height are accommodated through our flexible tooling.

Standards and References

Our tab washers are manufactured with reference to the following standards: DIN 93 (tab washers with external tab), DIN 432 (external tab washers for bolts), ISO 7042 (locknut and tab washer assemblies), BS 3410 (tab washers for general engineering), and customer-specific standards for aerospace (AS9100) and automotive (IATF 16949) applications. We can manufacture to any customer-supplied drawing or standard on request.

Manufacturing and Quality

Tab washers are produced on high-speed blanking and forming presses using progressive tooling. The blanking and tab-forming operations are performed in a single press stroke for consistent tab dimensions and position. After pressing, washers undergo deburring to remove any sharp edges that could damage adjacent components. 100% dimensional inspection is carried out using go/no-go gauges on critical dimensions. Periodic sample inspection covers tab thickness, tab position, hole diameter, and overall flatness. Our ISO 9001 certified quality system governs all production and inspection operations.

Applications

Tab washers are used in: bearing locknut assemblies on machine tool spindles, rolling mill rolls, and conveyor drives; automotive wheel bearing and hub assemblies; marine propeller shaft and stern tube bearing locks; gearbox shaft locking assemblies; electrical terminal locking in switchgear and bus bar assemblies; general fastener locking in vibration-prone mechanical and structural applications; and aerospace structural assemblies requiring positive locking per airworthiness requirements.

Related Products and Search Terms

Tab washers are frequently ordered alongside: locknuts, castle nuts, split pins, cotter pins, locking plates, bearing lock rings, key and keyway sets, flat washers, spring washers. Common search terms: tab washer, locking tab washer, bent tab washer, brass tab washer, copper tab washer, aluminium tab washer, single tab washer, double tab washer, DIN 93 tab washer, bearing locknut tab washer, shaft lock washer, tab lock washer, tab washer M20, tab washer M24, tab washer M30, tab washer manufacturer India, tab washer exporter, lock tab washer copper, brass locking washer, multi-tab washer.

Why Choose Our Tab Washers?

With three decades of sheet metal pressing expertise, we offer tab washers in brass, copper, and aluminium across the widest size range available from any single Indian manufacturer. We manufacture to DIN, BS, ISO, and customer standards, supply with full material and dimensional certification, and offer flexible order quantities from prototype batches to annual supply contracts. Our export experience covers all major engineering markets including the UK, Germany, USA, Australia, UAE, and Southeast Asia.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Tab Washers

What is a tab washer and how does it work?

A tab washer is a flat washer with one or more integral tabs. During assembly, the washer is placed under the nut or bolt head with its internal tab engaging a shaft slot (if present). After tightening, the external tab(s) are bent up against a flat of the nut or bolt head, positively preventing the fastener from rotating loose under vibration or dynamic loading.

What is the difference between a single tab and double tab washer?

A single tab washer has one tab (external or internal). A double tab washer has both an internal tab (to locate in a shaft slot) and an external tab (to bend over the locknut flat), providing a more positive locking arrangement particularly used in shaft-mounted bearing assemblies.

Why use brass or copper tab washers instead of steel?

Brass and copper tab washers are used where corrosion resistance is needed (marine, chemical environments), where non-sparking properties are required (hazardous areas), where electrical conductivity is needed (earthing assemblies), or where the softer material is necessary to prevent damage to plated or precision mating surfaces.

Do you manufacture tab washers to DIN 93?

Yes, we manufacture tab washers fully conforming to DIN 93 (single external tab washer) in brass, copper, and aluminium for metric bolt sizes M4 to M64. We can also manufacture to DIN 432 and BS 3410 as required.

Can aluminium tab washers be used with stainless steel fasteners?

Yes, but a galvanic barrier such as an appropriate lubricant or isolation washer should be considered if the assembly will be exposed to a corrosive environment, as aluminium and stainless steel can form a galvanic couple. In dry or sealed environments, aluminium tab washers work reliably with stainless fasteners.

What is the minimum order for tab washers?

Standard minimum order is 200 pieces per size and material. For custom sizes requiring new tooling, minimum order is 1,000 pieces. Sample quantities of 20–50 pieces are available for engineering approval.

Do you supply pre-bent tab washers?

Yes, we can supply tab washers pre-bent to your specified tab angle. This is useful in automated assembly lines where bending the tab in situ is not practical. Please specify the required tab bend angle and direction when ordering.

Do you export tab washers?

Yes, we export brass, copper, and aluminium tab washers globally. Key export markets include the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, UAE, Australia, and Singapore. Full export documentation is provided with every shipment.

Request a Quote for Tab Washers

Looking for Locking Tab Washers in Brass, Copper, or Aluminum for your mechanical assembly, bearing, or electrical application?

📧 Email us at: sales@brass-copper-parts.com with your bolt size, material, DIN or BS standard reference, quantity, and required surface finish

📱 WhatsApp/Call: +91-22-43449300 for technical guidance on single vs double tab selection, material choice, and pre-bending options

🌐 Visit our facility: See our precision tab washer pressing and forming operations and discuss custom tooling requirements for non-standard sizes

📋 Request samples: Sample tab washers in brass, copper, and aluminium in standard DIN 93 sizes are available for assembly and fit evaluation

Brass & Copper Parts manufactures tab washers to DIN 93, BS 3410, and customer-specific standards in brass, copper, and aluminium, supplying engineering OEMs, bearing manufacturers, and marine equipment builders worldwide. Contact us for competitive pricing and reliable supply.