Lockwire (A.K.A. Safety Wire, Lock Wire, or Annealed Seizing Wire), is a safety product that is often used in high vibration applications where fasterners could shake them loose. Lockwire, like many of our products, is a product most people never even realized existed - yet they are around it daily. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles all use safety lockwire - to keep fasteners from shaking loose.
Loos & Company Lockwire is manufactured from a variety of metals (302/304 Stainless, 305 Stainless, 316 Stainless, Monel®, or Inconel®). We manufacture lockwire to numerous specifications including: MS20995, MS20995NC, MS20995N,AMS5685, AMS5687, NASM20995C, NASM20995NC, and NASM20995N. Our Lockwire is drawn from rod, and annealed it to give it the necessary ductility.
Lockwire acts as a mechanical and visual defense to ensure that fasteners do not back themselves during operation. Lockwire can be attached in nearly infinite ways, however, it is often attached between two fasteners which end up being wired through opposite sides. The reason for this is rotation. Should one fastener begin to loosen, it will pull at the opposite side of the second fastener, essentially attempting to tighten it. Seeing as both fasteners have the same effect on each other, it means the fasteners can not wiggle loose. The picture below illustrates the point very well.
Credit: mx5cartalk.com for the image.
Other than creating a mechanical line of defense, lockwire acts as a visual warning as well. If maintenance personnel were to see a broken or mishapen wire, it would be a key indicator that something has happened. If they were simply looking at a bolt, odds are that they couldn't tell if it was tight or loose. This would generally result in a mechanic taking a second look at the area, and catching a problem before it caused harm.
How this all works is simple. Situations where lockwire is to be used, there will be a hole drilled through fastener. Often times, you will see bolt heads aligned, and safety lockwire is run through each to help secure them.
In high vibration environments, nuts and bolts will loosen over time. Lockwire, has silently been working to ensure that does not happen. Every day we come in contact with equipment or machinery that use lockwire. Lockwire is the silent defender that helps keep us safe.
Stay tuned in the coming weeks for an article about Safety Cable - an alternative solution to using lockwire.
For more information about Loos & Company Safety Lockwire, please visit our Lockwire Page or contact a Loos & Company Product Manager. Additional questions can be sent to our marketing department by emailing marketing@loosco.com.
