Finished jam nuts, sometimes referred to as thin nuts, are approximately 65% as thick as a standard hex nut. Jam nuts are often used in pairs, with one nut tightened against the other to lock them in place, hence providing a secure and stable fastening solution. Heavy hex jam nuts are not very common. They are used where a large bearing surface is required and minimal clearance or thread engagement is available.
Get our definition & description of jam nuts along with typical applications and industries which utilize them.
What is a Jam Nut
A jam nut is a type of nut used to lock another nut in place. This prevents the standard nut from loosening due to vibration or movement. It is about half the size of a standard finished hex nut.
Here is a picture showing the parts of a jam nut:
Typical Configurations
Double Nut Configuration: The jam nut is usually threaded onto the bolt or stud first. The standard finished hex nut is then tightened against it. When both threads are tightened against each other they create opposing forces with respect to the the threads. This locks both nuts in place.
Reverse Setup: In this setup, the finished hex nut is threaded onto the bolt or stud first and then the jam nut is added. This process is typically done if there are specific load requirements.
Nickel Systems provides high quality exotic grade materials that hold up in the toughest, most severe heat and corrosive environments. With our large inventory of specialty fasteners in stock, we are always ready to answer the call to serve the most challenging applications.
