When shopping for aerospace fasteners, you may come across Tinnerman nuts and Tinnerman washers. They are special types of fasteners that are used extensively in the aerospace industry.
What Are Tinnerman Nuts?
Also known as speed nuts, Tinnerman nuts rectangular-shaped fasteners with internal threading. They have a top plate and an interconnected bottom plate. The internal threading runs through the center of both plates.
Tinnerman nuts are designed to be clipped onto sheet metal. With a top and bottom plate, they feature a clip-like design. You can clip a Tinnerman nut onto a piece of sheet metal — assuming the sheet metal is thin — followed by twisting a bolt into the Tinnerman nut’s threading.
What Are Tinnerman Washers?
Tinnerman washers are countersunk washers. They are used with a bolt or fastener. Tinnerman washers are similar to flat washers. With that said, Tinnerman washers offer a bearing surface for the bolt fastener with which they are used.
All Tinnerman washers feature a countersunk design. The countersunk design allows them to lie flush when installed. You can see an example of a Tinnerman washer in the photo above. Standard washers, of course, are typically flat. When you insert a bolt or fastener through a standard washer, the head will protrude out the top. Tinnerman washers feature a countersunk design that’s characterized by a recess. This countersunk design will conceal the head of the bolt or threaded fastener.
Differences Between Tinnerman Nuts and Tinnerman Washers
Tinnerman nuts and Tinnerman washers aren’t the same. Like all nuts, Tinnerman nuts are designed to secure two or more parts together. They feature internal threading that supports the use of a bolt or similar fastener with external threading.
Tinnerman washers, on the other hand, don’t have any threading. They simply feature a hole in the center. You don’t have to twist a bolt or fastener through this hole. Rather, you can simply push the bolt or fastener through the Tinnerman washer’s hole.
Tinnerman nuts can also be clipped onto sheet metal, whereas Tinnerman washers can not. Tinnerman nuts are a popular choice for aerospace applications because of their clipping abilities.
Of course, Tinnerman nuts and Tinnerman washers are used for different purposes. Tinnerman nuts are used to secure two or more parts together. Tinnerman washers, conversely, are used to distribute the load of a bolt or fastener.
