W Lockwasher

Most commonly used lockwashers, these multi-tang lockwashers are the least expensive. They are made of a material sufficiently soft so the tangs will withstand several bends of locking and unlocking in assembly, but of a material sufficiently hard to resist the shearing action which may be exerted by the corner of the spanner slots. The key is bent in the opposite direction of the tang and axially to the shaft to fit in a shaft keyway under the bearing race to provide greater resistance to the shearing action and to provide support with the inner race of the bearing.