What are Compression Limiters?
Leave a CommentCompression limiters are typically cylindrical components made of steel, stainless steel, brass, or aluminum that prevent overstressing of usually plastic or composite material and fastener clamp load loss during fastener installation. They can be used integrated with a fastener, such as a rivet nut, to provide metal to metal transfer of forces during the joint assembly.
This helps to prevent the surrounding material from being deformed or damaged.
Essentially, the compression limiter can fill a gap for a metal on metal load transfer as to not deform the material. So when the fastener, such as a screw or bolt, is tightened, the compression limiter is compressed between the fastener head and the metal parts being joined for a compact assembly.
The designs of a compression limiters are limitless. They can very large or very small, have knurls or wedges, or just be a smooth body cylinder like a spacer. What all compression limiters have in common, though, is that they are UNTHREADED. In some scenarios a bolt may pass through the compression limiter, it doesn’t have threads to keep the bolt in place.
What applications are compression limiters used in?
Metal compression limiters are commonly used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, construction and agricultural equipment, and in general construction where high strength and reliability are crucial. They are often used in applications where the joint must withstand significant loads or stresses, such as in structural connections or engine components. They are oftentimes used to not distress the base material.
How they are made?
Compression limiters are either cold-formed or machined. Sherex engineers design compression limiters for specific applications, so many of these parts are unique to the project they were designed for.
Sherex makes hundreds of thousands of compression limiters every year out of its Sherex Akron facility in Akron, Ohio. To learn more about compression limiters or if in of a compression limiter for your application, contact us!
