Torque Wrench: Improving Safety by Eliminating Pinch Points
Hand safety is a major concern in industrial bolting operations, especially when using outdated tools and methods that inherently create hazardous pinch points. One injury may result in heavy personal injury losses and facility shutdown (for hand injury investigations) with overburdening financial costs running into millions. The HYTORC Washer is the only fastener in bolting systems that reduces the risks of hand injury by completely eliminating pinch points when using torque wrenches.
“BY ELIMINATING THE REACTION ARM IN THE BOLTING PROCESS, COMPANIES ARE CREATING A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES OR CONTRACTORS BY ELIMINATING ONE OF THE COSTLIEST SAFETY HAZARDS IN BOLTING, FINGER PINCHING.”
The HYTORC Reaction Washer is a fastener that features a smooth side to reduce the friction of the turning nut, a knurled side to keep the Washer from rotating, and outer lobes to brace reaction forces, thus eliminating the need for reaction, and completely eliminating dangerous pinch points. The HYTORC Backup Washer features knurls on both sides to keep the backup-nut from rotating, thus eliminating the need for a backup wrench and completely eliminating the danger.
Torque Wrench Compatibility Chart
Type of Torque Wrench | Name of Tools |
Hydraulic Torque Wrench | Stealth, ICE, Avanti. |
Pneumatic Torque Wrench | jGun, jGun Dual Speed, jGun Digital |
Battery/ Electric Torque Wrench | LiON Gun, Lithium Series 1 and 2 |
Standard Hytorc Washer Material
- Standard materials meet requirements of ASTMF436
- Special washers can be manufactured to customer defined material and geometry specifications
- Complete material traceability and certification available
- Available as black, stainless steel and galvanized
- Standard geometries available for hex head bolts, hex nuts, and SHCS arrangements
Hardened Washers have been specified according to the following codes:
- ASME PCC-1-2013
- API Standard 660
- VCI 2016 (Verband der ChemischenIndustriee.V.)
- VDI 2200 (2007)
Specification for ASME Hardened Washer
ASME PCC-1-2013 – Appendix M – M-1.1 Usage (page 71):
The use of washers on pressure boundary bolted flange joints is optional. However, it is generally recognized that the use of through-hardened steel washers will improve the translation of torque input into bolt preload by providing smooth and low friction bearing surface for the nut.
Washers protect the contact surface of the flange from damage caused by a turning nut. These are important considerations when torquing methods (either manual or hydraulic) are used for bolt tightening.