Stainless Steel Tapper Washer

Choosing the Right Taper Washer

(For I-Beams, Channels & Sloped Surfaces)

1) What is a taper washer & when do you need it?

A taper washer is a sloped (wedge-shaped) washer designed so that:

One face is inclined,

The other face is parallel to the bolt head/nut,

so that the bolt head or nut sits square even when the supporting surface is not perpendicular to the bolt axis.

Use a taper washer when:

Bolting through I-beams, channels, angles where flanges are sloped

You need the bearing surface under the nut/bolt head to be flat so the load is even

You want to avoid bending the bolt or crushing one side of the washer/nut due to the slope

Typical applications:

Structural steel connections (beams, columns, purlins)

Equipment bases mounted on taper-flange members

Heavy brackets and supports fixed to rolled steel sections

If the surface under the nut/bolt head is sloped or tapered, a taper washer is essential for a proper structural joint.

2) Why use a taper washer instead of a normal plain washer?

On sloping flanges (like I-beam and channel flanges):

A plain flat washer makes the nut/bolt sit at an angle, so the load is carried on one edge only.

This can cause:

Bending in the bolt,

Crushing or local yielding of the washer/flange,

Uneven preload and premature loosening.

A taper washer:

Corrects the angle so the nut/bolt bears on a flat, square face,

Distributes load uniformly over the flange,

Reduces bolt bending and improves the life and safety of the joint.

In short:
Sloped flange / inclined surface → taper washer, not plain washer.

3) Matching the taper washer to the section

Taper washers are usually specified for:

I-beam flanges (wide or standard I-sections)

Channel sections

Sometimes for angle sections or custom inclined plates

Key points to match:

Bolt size

Choose the taper washer size to suit the bolt diameter:

e.g. taper washer for M16, M20, M24, etc.

Flange angle / slope

Taper washers are manufactured with a specific angle to match common rolled sections.

For standard I-beams/channels, use the standard “for I-beam” / “for channel” taper washers.

Contact face dimensions

The contact area under the nut/bolt head must be large enough for the bolt size and structural loading.

Structural taper washers are usually thicker and larger than normal plain washers for this reason.

Mechanical Properties (Guide) – Taper Washer

For taper washers, key mechanical aspects are material strength, hardness, and thickness, because they must transfer high-bearing loads without crushing or deforming while correcting the angle.

1) Mild steel taper washers (standard structural type)

Typical characteristics:

Material: mild or medium carbon steel, often with structural-grade yield strength.

Thicker and stiffer than normal washers to withstand structural bearing loads.

Bearing area sized for high-tensile bolts.

Functional behaviour:

Designed to carry compressive bearing loads under the nut/bolt head without significant permanent deformation.

The wedge shape ensures full-face contact, reducing bolt bending.

In properly tightened joints, they help maintain uniform preload by providing a flat seat.

If a standard non-structural washer is used instead of a proper taper washer:

One edge can crush/yield,

Bolt preload can relax,

Joint performance and fatigue life can be compromised.

2) Hardened / structural-grade taper washers

For high-tensile structural bolts, you may use hardened taper washers made from higher-grade steels and heat-treated.

Typical characteristics:

Higher hardness, suitable for bearing against 8.8 / 10.9 grade bolts.

Minimizes embedment and dishing under high clamp loads.

Maintains washer shape even under repeated loading cycles.

Functional behaviour:

Ensures the contact surface stays true and flat under service loads.

Reduces loss of preload and improves fatigue resistance of the joint.

3) Stainless steel taper washers (A2 / A4)

Typical characteristics:

Material: A2 (304) or A4 (316) stainless, depending on environment.

Good combination of corrosion resistance and bearing strength for most structural and support applications in stainless fabrications.

Functional behaviour:

Used in stainless structures, platforms, handrails, equipment supports, etc.

Resist rusting or staining in aggressive and hygienic environments.

Still must be sized correctly to avoid local yielding on heavily loaded flanges.