Found in several commercial applications, Philidas turret nuts are a mechanical self-locking nut. One of the many characteristics that entice makers and manufacturers to rely on and buy turret nuts is their being resistant to high temperature and extreme vibration.

But what makes these nuts capable of being this durable?

The Anatomy of a Philidas Locking Nut

To better understand this locking nut’s strength and versatility, you have to be familiar with its design.

Nuts, in general, are a type of fastener used to fasten different parts of a machine or a device. Similar to the design of an industrial nut, Philidas locking nuts are all-metal hexagon nuts whose locking function comes from the slotter turret found atop of the hexagon.

These nuts are known for being easy to assemble. And compared with conventional industrial nuts, they also have lower prevailing torque, which makes them more reusable.

Typically, people who buy hexagon nuts have the option of buying either steel or stainless steel Philidas nuts. The types of finishes available include self-colour, zinc, chromium, nickel, copper, silver, and zinc, and chrome passivation among others. Because the finish can affect the nuts’ tightening torque, nut manufacturers apply correction factors to achieve the required bolt loading.

What is Tightening Torque

For nuts and bolts to be durable, a force called "tightening torque" should be applied to these fasteners. When this is applied, it can extend the fasteners by the amount needed to maintain their good working condition even under high temperature and vibration levels. To prevent fatigue failure, manufacturers ensure that the initial tension should be equal to the assembly’s maximum operating load.

As mentioned, many opt to buy Philidas turret nuts for their lower prevailing torque. It is what makes these nuts capable of withstanding both static and alternating stress. If a nut cannot survive these stresses, it will likely rotate and loosen once it’s subjected to vibration or higher-than-usual temperature.

Apart from being temperature- and vibration-resistant, the locking performance of Philidas turret nuts are also unaffected by petrol, oil, and any other liquids and vapours. Making them more flexible is their capability to be fitted to a male thread locking element end first.

Nuts For All Seasons

When you buy hexagon nuts from Philidas, you’re guaranteed to have nuts you can use for all seasons. Because these nuts are designed to be versatile and be incorporated into different assemblies for multiple uses.

One of the most common applications of these nuts is in the automotive industry. Cars, when used on the road, can experience the most extreme conditions — the sweltering heat of the summer and the biting cold of the winter. If not for temperature-resistant fasteners, many road accidents can occur once the weather becomes extremely hot or cold — or once you’ve been on the road for too long a time.

Philidas turret nuts are also widely used in the rail and aerospace industries where vibrations can be high. Other applications include mining, earth-moving plant equipment, and electrical appliances.