What Is a Wave Washer? Design, Types, Applications and Selection

A wave washer, also called a wave spring washer or wavy washer, is a thin elastic component formed with one or more waves around its circumference. 

When compressed axially, the waves deflect and generate spring force.

Unlike a flat washer, whose primary purpose is generally to distribute bearing pressure beneath a bolt head or nut, a wave washer is designed to act as a compact spring element.

Depending on the assembly, wave washers may be used to:

• Apply axial preload

• Reduce end play

• Take up assembly clearance

• Compensate for dimensional tolerances

• Maintain contact between components

• Apply bearing preload

• Accommodate limited thermal movement

• Reduce rattle caused by axial clearance

This combination of low axial height and elastic deflection makes wave washers useful in electric motors, bearings, gear assemblies,

 pumps, actuators, automotive mechanisms, industrial automation equipment, electronics and other compact mechanical systems.

However, selecting a wave washer requires more than matching its inside diameter to a shaft or bolt.

For functional applications, engineers should consider the relationship between free height, working height, deflection, spring load, material, wave geometry and operating environment.

How Does a Wave Washer Work?

The operating principle is based on elastic deformation.

Before installation, the washer has a defined free height created by its wave profile.

When the assembly compresses the washer, the waves partially flatten. The washer resists this deformation and generates an opposing axial force.

The basic relationship can be understood as:

Free Height → Compression → Elastic Deflection → Axial Spring Force

When properly designed, this spring force can keep adjacent components in contact while allowing limited dimensional movement.

This is why wave washers are often used where a rigid spacer would not provide sufficient tolerance compensation.

What Is a Three-Wave Washer?

A three-wave washer, sometimes described as a three-wave or three-crest wave spring washer, has three principal wave regions distributed around its circumference.

The geometry allows the washer to provide axial spring action while occupying relatively little space.

Important characteristics can include:

• Inside diameter

• Outside diameter

• Material thickness

• Free height

• Number of waves

• Wave amplitude

• Working height

• Deflection

• Load at a specified compressed height

The term "three-wave washer" describes its geometry, but it does not by itself define its spring performance.

Two three-wave washers with similar outside dimensions can generate different loads because of differences in material thickness, hardness, heat treatment, wave height or forming geometry.

Wave Washer vs Flat Washer

Wave washers and flat washers should not be treated as interchangeable components.

Flat Washer

A flat washer is generally used to:

• Distribute bearing pressure

• Protect the mating surface

• Increase the effective bearing area

• Provide a controlled interface beneath a nut or bolt head

Its function normally depends on dimensional stability rather than intentional spring deflection.

Wave Washer

A wave washer is intentionally elastic.

Its principal functions can include:

• Axial preload

• Clearance take-up

• End-play control

• Bearing preload

• Tolerance compensation

• Component positioning

If the engineering requirement is simply to distribute bolt load, a flat washer may be more appropriate.

If the assembly requires controlled axial movement and spring force, a wave washer may be considered.

Wave Washer vs Curved Spring Washer

Wave washers and curved spring washers are both elastic washer types, but their geometries and typical applications differ.

A curved spring washer generally has a simpler curved or arched profile.

A wave washer uses multiple wave regions around its circumference and can provide controlled axial deflection over a compact installation height.

A useful engineering distinction is:

General Elastic Compensation → Curved Spring Washer

Controlled Axial Take-Up or Bearing Preload → Wave Washer

The final selection should be based on the required load-deflection behavior rather than product name alone.

Wave Washer vs Belleville Washer

A Belleville washer, also known as a disc spring, uses a conical geometry.

Disc springs are commonly evaluated where relatively high axial spring forces are required within a compact space.

Wave washers generally serve a different design requirement.

They may be preferred when the application requires:

• More compliant axial movement

• Tolerance take-up

• Moderate spring force

• Compact installation

• Bearing preload

• End-play compensation

A simple preliminary comparison is:

Load Distribution → Flat Washer

Axial Take-Up → Wave Washer

Higher Spring Force in Limited Space → Evaluate Disc Spring

Actual selection should be based on the complete mechanical system.

Wave Washer vs Coil Spring

Compression coil springs can provide substantial travel and can be designed for a broad range of spring rates.

Their disadvantage in some assemblies is axial space.

A wave washer provides spring action in a much thinner package.

This can make it useful in compact:

• Motors

• Gear mechanisms

• Bearing housings

• Actuators

• Instruments

• Electrical equipment

• Mechanical controls

A wave washer should not automatically replace a coil spring, however. Available deflection, required force, fatigue life and installation geometry must all be evaluated.

Why Wave Washers Are Used for Bearing Preload

Bearing assemblies are one of the most important applications for wave washers.

A simplified arrangement might be:

Housing Shoulder → Bearing → Wave Washer → End Cover

When the cover is assembled, the wave washer compresses and applies an axial force to the bearing.

Depending on the bearing system, this may help:

• Reduce unwanted axial clearance

• Maintain contact between components

• Compensate for housing tolerances

• Control end play

• Provide a designed axial preload

• Reduce mechanical rattle

Bearing preload must nevertheless be engineered carefully.

Excessive preload can increase friction, heat, torque and bearing stress.

Insufficient preload may fail to control axial movement.

The correct wave washer is therefore selected as part of the bearing system, not simply according to shaft diameter.

What Is End Play?

End play is the amount of axial movement available to a shaft, bearing or mechanical component.

Some mechanisms require controlled clearance. Others require axial movement to be minimized.

Manufacturing tolerances can create variations in this clearance.

A wave washer can occupy part of the available axial space while maintaining an elastic force.

This is particularly useful when designers need to control axial movement without using a completely rigid stack.

Why Tolerance Stack-Up Matters

Consider an assembly containing:

Housing + Bearing + Spacer + Cover

Each component has dimensional tolerances.

Even when every component is within specification, the total available axial space can vary from assembly to assembly.

This is known as tolerance stack-up.

A wave washer can help accommodate some of this variation because it changes height elastically.

The engineering question is therefore not simply:

"What is the nominal gap?"

The more useful questions are:

• What is the minimum possible gap?

• What is the maximum possible gap?

• What force is required at minimum compression?

• What force occurs at maximum compression?

• Will the washer remain within its intended elastic working range?

This approach is especially important for high-volume OEM assemblies.

Free Height, Working Height and Deflection

Three dimensions are particularly important when evaluating a wave washer.

Free Height

The height of the washer before installation.

Working Height

The compressed height of the washer in the assembled mechanism.

Deflection

The difference between the relevant free and working positions.

The washer's spring force depends on this deformation.

For functional wave washers, a specification containing only:

ID × OD × Thickness

may therefore be incomplete.

A drawing may also need to define:

• Free height

• Working height

• Wave geometry

• Deflection range

• Load at specified height

Why Load at Working Height Is Important

For engineering applications, one of the most useful functional specifications is:

Axial Load at Specified Height

This tells both the engineer and the supplier what the washer must actually do.

For example, two washers may have the same:

• ID

• OD

• Thickness

• Number of waves

but produce different spring forces because of differences in:

• Material

• Hardness

• Heat treatment

• Wave height

• Forming process

• Residual stresses

This is why dimensional similarity alone does not guarantee functional interchangeability.

Wave Washers and Thermal Expansion

Mechanical assemblies can contain materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion.

Examples include combinations of:

• Steel

• Aluminum

• Stainless steel

• Engineering polymers

• Bearing steels

As temperature changes, the dimensions of these components may change at different rates.

A wave washer can provide limited elastic movement to accommodate some of these changes while maintaining axial contact.

The required load and deflection should be evaluated across the actual operating-temperature range.

Do Wave Washers Prevent Bolt Loosening?

Wave washers are sometimes marketed as locking washers, but this description can be misleading.

Their primary engineering function is elastic axial compensation.

They may help maintain contact or preload in certain assemblies, but they should not automatically be considered a dedicated solution for severe vibration-induced rotational self-loosening.

Fastener loosening depends on factors including:

• Joint preload

• Joint stiffness

• Transverse movement

• Vibration

• Friction

• Fastener geometry

• Surface condition

• Temperature

• Mating materials

Where rotational loosening is the primary failure mode, engineers should evaluate an appropriate locking method specifically designed for that requirement.

Are Wave Washers Sealing Washers?

Not inherently.

A conventional metallic wave spring washer should not be described as providing fluid or gas sealing merely because it maintains contact pressure.

Sealing normally requires a dedicated sealing interface such as:

• Elastomeric seal

• Bonded sealing washer

• O-ring

• Gasket

• Formed sealing feature

• Application-specific sealing system

A wave washer may provide spring force within a sealing assembly, but the sealing function should be evaluated independently.

This distinction is important when specifying components for pumps, HVAC equipment, liquid-cooling systems or automotive fluid systems.

Materials for Wave Washers

Wave washer material should be selected according to the required spring characteristics, fatigue performance, temperature and environmental exposure.

Carbon and Alloy Spring Steel

Spring steels can provide:

• Elastic performance

• Fatigue resistance

• Mechanical strength

• Cost-effective high-volume production

They are commonly considered for general industrial equipment, motors, gearboxes, pumps and mechanical assemblies.

The exact grade, hardness and heat treatment should be defined according to the application.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel wave washers may be selected where corrosion resistance is important.

Potential applications include:

• Outdoor equipment

• HVAC systems

• Medical equipment

• Food-service machinery

• Electronics

• Liquid-cooling equipment

• Laboratory instruments

Different stainless grades provide different combinations of corrosion resistance, formability and spring performance.

The engineering specification should therefore identify the required material rather than simply state "stainless steel."

Special Spring Alloys

More demanding applications may require special materials for:

• Elevated temperature

• Aggressive chemicals

• Higher fatigue requirements

• Special corrosion conditions

• Electrical or magnetic requirements

These projects should be evaluated against the customer's actual operating environment.

Surface Treatments

Carbon or alloy steel wave washers may require corrosion protection.

Depending on material, application and customer specification, finishes may include:

• Black oxide

• Phosphate-based finishes

• Zinc-based coatings

• Zinc-nickel systems

• Zinc-flake coatings

• Other engineered coatings

Coating selection should consider more than corrosion resistance.

Engineers and procurement teams should also evaluate:

• Coating thickness

• Dimensional impact

• Material hardness

• Hydrogen-embrittlement risk

• Friction requirements

• Operating temperature

• Customer specifications

The coating system should be compatible with the spring component and its manufacturing process.

Wave Washers in Electric Motors

Electric motors frequently contain components that make wave washers useful:

• Bearings

• Shafts

• End covers

• Housings

• Tight axial packaging

A wave washer may be used between a bearing and an end cover to provide controlled axial force.

Potential objectives include:

• Bearing preload

• End-play reduction

• Tolerance compensation

• Rattle reduction

This is particularly relevant to compact motors used in industrial automation, automotive systems, pumps, HVAC equipment and electrical devices.

Automotive and EV Applications

Modern vehicles contain many compact electromechanical systems where axial control is important.

Potential wave washer applications include:

• Electric motors

• Pumps

• Actuators

• Small gear mechanisms

• Seat mechanisms

• Steering-related mechanisms

• Thermal-management equipment

• Auxiliary drive systems

In EV platforms, electric motors, cooling equipment, actuators and auxiliary mechanisms can create additional applications for compact preload components.

Application suitability must be established from the OEM design and validation requirements.

Safety-critical applications should never be qualified solely from a generic washer specification.

Industrial Automation and Robotics

Automation equipment often requires compact mechanisms with repeatable movement.

Wave washers may be considered in:

• Robotic mechanisms

• Servo-related assemblies

• Actuators

• Packaging equipment

• Small gear systems

• Conveyor mechanisms

• Precision fixtures

Their role is typically associated with axial preload, clearance compensation or component positioning rather than structural fastening alone.

Pumps, Compressors and Fluid Equipment

Rotating equipment may use wave washers in bearing systems or auxiliary mechanisms requiring axial compensation.

Potential applications include:

• Pumps

• Compressors

• Valve actuators

• Mechanical control systems

• Cooling equipment

Where the system handles liquids or gases, remember that the wave washer itself should not automatically be treated as a sealing element.

Corrosion exposure, operating temperature and fluid compatibility should also be evaluated.

HVAC and Liquid-Cooling Systems

HVAC and thermal-management systems contain:

• Motors

• Fans

• Pumps

• Compressors

• Actuators

• Valves

Wave washers may be used within suitable mechanical subassemblies requiring compact spring force.

This is also relevant to liquid-cooling equipment supporting high-density computing and AI data-center infrastructure.

In these applications, wave washers may be found inside the mechanical equipment supporting the cooling system rather than acting as a direct fluid-sealing component.

Electronics and Electrical Equipment

Wave washers are useful where electrical or electronic assemblies require a compact elastic element.

Potential applications include:

• Small motors

• Electrical connectors

• Adjustment mechanisms

• Instruments

• Enclosures

• Electromechanical devices

Material, conductivity, corrosion and contact requirements should be evaluated according to the specific application.

Medical and Precision Equipment

Medical and laboratory equipment can contain compact:

• Motors

• Pumps

• Actuators

• Instruments

• Adjustment mechanisms

Wave washers may be used where axial preload or tolerance compensation is required.

For regulated applications, customer-specific requirements concerning traceability, cleanliness, material documentation and qualification must be considered separately.

How to Select a Wave Washer

A practical engineering selection process begins with function rather than size.

1. Define the Mechanical Function

Determine whether the washer is intended for:

• Bearing preload

• End-play control

• Clearance take-up

• Tolerance compensation

• Rattle reduction

• Thermal compensation

• General axial preload

2. Define the Installation Space

Determine:

• Minimum inside diameter

• Maximum outside diameter

• Free axial space

• Minimum operating height

• Maximum operating height

3. Define the Required Axial Force

Identify the force required at the installed position.

If the assembly operates across a tolerance range, evaluate the force at both extremes.

4. Define the Deflection Range

Determine how much axial movement the washer must accommodate without leaving its intended working range.

5. Select Material

Consider:

• Temperature

• Corrosion

• Fatigue

• Mechanical properties

• Environmental exposure

6. Define Surface Treatment

Select the coating or finish according to material and environmental requirements.

7. Validate the Assembly

Prototype testing should confirm that the selected washer provides the required performance in the complete mechanism.

Standard vs Custom Wave Washers

A standard wave washer may be appropriate when an existing size and spring characteristic match the design.

A custom wave washer may be necessary when the application requires:

• Non-standard inside diameter

• Non-standard outside diameter

• Special material thickness

• Specific free height

• Different wave geometry

• Defined working height

• Specific load at compression

• Special material

• Special coating

• Restricted axial packaging

For these applications, drawing-controlled sourcing is preferable.

What Should Engineers Put on a Wave Washer Drawing?

For a functional wave washer, useful drawing information may include:

• Inside diameter

• Outside diameter

• Material thickness

• Free height

• Number of waves

• Wave orientation or profile where relevant

• Material

• Heat treatment

• Hardness where required

• Surface finish

• Load at specified height

• Relevant dimensional tolerances

Not every application requires every parameter, but the drawing should control the characteristics that determine functional performance.

Why Copying an Existing Sample Can Be Risky

Reverse-engineering a wave washer from a physical sample can identify dimensions such as:

• ID

• OD

• Thickness

• Free height

• Wave count

However, a sample alone may not reveal:

• Original material specification

• Heat treatment

• Hardness

• Required spring force

• Fatigue requirement

• Original free height before service

• Permanent set accumulated during use

This is especially important when the sample has already operated under load.

For replacement or second-source projects, the best sourcing package combines the sample with available drawings and functional requirements.

Supplier Qualification for Wave Washers

When sourcing from a new wave washer supplier, procurement teams should evaluate more than unit price.

Depending on the application, qualification may include:

• Drawing review

• Material verification

• Dimensional inspection

• Hardness verification

• Surface-treatment review

• Load-deflection testing

• Sample evaluation

• Assembly testing

• Pilot production

• Production approval

For a bearing preload washer, load at working height may be more important than visual similarity to the incumbent component.

RFQ Checklist for Wave Washers

For an efficient quotation, provide as much of the following information as available:

• Drawing or existing sample

• Inside diameter

• Outside diameter

• Thickness

• Free height

• Number of waves

• Working height

• Required spring load

• Material

• Heat treatment

• Surface treatment

• Application

• Operating temperature

• Environmental conditions

• Prototype quantity

• Production quantity

• Estimated annual volume

• Documentation requirements

• Packaging requirements

If the required spring load is not known, providing information about the assembly and intended function can help the technical review.

Engineering Search vs Procurement Search

Engineers researching wave washers often search for:

• what is a wave washer

• how does a wave washer work

• wave washer for bearing preload

• wave washer load deflection

• wave washer for end play

• wave washer vs Belleville washer

• wave washer vs curved washer

• wave washer working height

• axial preload washer

Procurement and supply-chain teams are more likely to search for:

• wave washer manufacturer

• wave spring washer supplier

• three wave washer supplier

• custom wave washer manufacturer

• stainless steel wave washer supplier

• bearing preload washer supplier

• OEM wave washer supplier

• custom spring washer manufacturer

The engineering requirement and procurement requirement eventually converge at the same point:

Can the supplier consistently manufacture the required geometry and spring performance at production scale?

Related Washer and Spring Solutions

For a deeper engineering discussion of bearing preload, tolerance stack-up and load-deflection requirements, review our Wave Spring Washers for Axial Preload and Tolerance Compensation guide.

For simple curved elastic washers, review our Curved Spring Washer Solutions.

For standardized curved spring washers, review our DIN 128A Curved Spring Washer Solutions.

For higher-force conical spring applications, review our Disc Spring and Belleville Washer Solutions.

For conical washers used in highly loaded bolted connections, review our DIN 6796 Conical Spring Washer Solutions.

For standard bearing-area and load-distribution requirements, review our Flat Washer Solutions.

For angular misalignment compensation, review our Spherical Washer Solutions.

These pages should be internally linked according to the engineering problem they solve rather than simply because they all belong to the washer category.

Wave Washer Manufacturing and Sourcing Support

JUXIN FASTENERS supports OEM and industrial sourcing projects involving:

• Wave washers

• Wave spring washers

• Three-wave washers

• Bearing preload washers

• Spring steel wave washers

• Stainless steel wave washers

• Custom wave washers

• Drawing-based spring components

Projects can be reviewed from customer drawings, samples or application requirements.

Depending on the project, technical review can include:

• Geometry

• Material

• Heat treatment

• Hardness

• Free height

• Working height

• Load-deflection requirements

• Surface treatment

• Application environment

• Prototype and production quantities

The objective is not simply to supply a washer with the correct diameter.

For functional wave washers, the objective is to supply a component whose dimensions and spring characteristics match the mechanical requirements of the assembly.

From Wave Washer Selection to OEM RFQ

For a new design, the sourcing path should ideally follow:

Application → Required Axial Force → Available Space → Deflection → Wave Geometry → Material → Finish → Prototype → Functional Validation → Production

For an existing component or second-source program:

Drawing / Sample → Dimensional Review → Material Review → Spring Performance → Finish → Samples → Assembly Validation → Production Approval

This process helps engineering and procurement teams reduce the risk of qualifying a component that looks correct but performs differently.

If you are sourcing wave washers, wave spring washers, three-wave washers, bearing preload washers, stainless steel wave washers or custom wave spring components,

 send your drawing, sample or technical requirements to JUXIN FASTENERS.

Useful RFQ information includes:

• Drawing or sample

• Dimensions

• Material

• Free and working height

• Required spring load, if available

• Surface treatment

• Application

• Prototype quantity

• Production quantity

• Estimated annual demand

• Quality and documentation requirements

Email: info@juxinfasteners.com

JUXIN FASTENERS can review your technical and commercial requirements and evaluate a standard, modified-standard or custom wave washer solution for OEM and industrial production.