What Is Lock Wire? | Everything Great About ...

What Is Lock Wire? Everything You Need to Know

Lock wire is an essential safety tool designed to ensure the mechanical stability of various components such as bolts, screws, and nuts. Over time, fasteners tend to loosen, especially in high-vibration environments. This is where lock wire proves invaluable.

The Purpose of Lock Wire

Lock wire is used to prevent the loosening of nuts, bolts, and other fasteners. It is typically threaded through two or more fasteners to ensure they remain securely tightened. This type of safety wiring often employs a "Double Twist" configuration, which involves twisting two strands of wire together. This counteracts the tendency of the fasteners to loosen, ensuring that mechanical systems remain stable and functional.

Applications that benefit from lock wire include sports cars, aircraft turbine engines, and even weaponry. Systems like braking mechanisms, throttle controls, and flight controls rely on lock wire to prevent serious mechanical failures and safeguard users. However, it is crucial to avoid using safety tie wire in situations that subject it to excessive chafing, tension, or fatigue beyond its intended tightening function.

Lock Wire Installation Methods

There are two primary methods for installing lock wire: double-twist and single-wire.

Double-Twist Method

The double-twist method varies the wire's diameter based on the type of fasteners being used. If the hole diameter exceeds .045 inches, a .032-inch diameter wire is needed. When the hole diameter is between .045 and .062 inches and the spacing between parts is less than two inches, a .020-inch diameter double-strand wire should be used.

Single-Wire Method

The single-wire or single-strand method is typically applied in situations with closely spaced fasteners, such as in electrical systems. It uses the largest wire that will fit within the fastener's hole and can secure any fasteners within 24 inches of wire reach.

Additionally, wires like .031-inch diameter aluminum and .020-inch diameter copper are employed as seals on equipment such as portable fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, and emergency valves.

Tie Wire

Tie wire is particularly useful for tying reinforcing bars in construction projects. For short-term applications, tie wire is ideal, whereas safety lock wire is better suited for extended periods.

Steel tie wire is among the most commonly used types, primarily due to its strong resistance to the elements. It is created by annealing the wire, a process that increases its flexibility and ability to change shape. Tie wire finds applications across various industries, including construction, agriculture, packaging, and mining.

Quality Safety Wire Products from Malin Co.

Malin Co. offers a range of high-quality safety wire products for numerous industries. Our lock wire products are highly reliable and ensure the safety and security of fasteners, especially in demanding applications like aerospace and automotive sectors. Our colored polyethylene containers help in easy identification of the wire type:

• Blue canisters contain stainless steel safety wire.
• Yellow canisters hold Inconel lock wire.
• Orange canisters contain oxidized Inconel safety wire.
• Red canisters are for Monel safety wire.

Polyethylene canisters offer superior protection against grease and corrosive materials, ensuring the longevity of the wire. We also offer packaging options such as spools, coils, and bulk purchases to meet diverse customer needs.

Our Lock Wire Products:

• Stainless Steel Aerospace Safety Wire: Available in bulk spools and coils, in various grades including 302, 303, 304, 304L, 316, 316L, 410, and 430.
• Copper & Brass Breakaway Wire: Available in boxed coils, materials include aluminum, brass, and nickel.
• Inconel Aerospace Lock Wire: Available in bobbins. Materials include nickel silver, nitinol, and phosphorous bronze.
• Oxidized Inconel Aerospace Safety Wire: Available in quarter-pound Handi-Pak coils. Materials include copper and Chromel Carbon.
• Monel Aerospace Lockwire: Available in custom spools. Materials include Inconel, Monel, and titanium.

For more information on safety wire techniques and safety wire twists per inch, please visit our website.

Monel Aerospace Lockwire / Safety Wire

Monel wire mesh is another crucial component used in aerospace applications. To know more about the Monel Wire Mesh Features, get in touch with us. We will provide expert guidance to help you choose the right product for your needs.