Crush washer vs ??

[POMLT3-08]

I know we are all familiar with the crush washer for installing a muzzle device, but I recently put a few rifles together and it seems the crush washer has gone the way of the Dodo and in it's place are these very specific washers of varying thickness. The idea being that you have to try a bunch of different ones until you find the exact right thickness until your muzzle device is aligned properly, no crushing of any washer.
It provides a nice clean look, but you have to buy a whole whack load of these little bastards because there's no telling what thickness you actually need.

 

[C77]

The crush washers are easy to use.

The danger is that when the less savvy among us tell their internet friends to re-use them, or they get backed off improperly to align a muzzle device.

This can result in a loose hider and an impact with a bullet. The frag usually goes sideways. Worse though, is you can't tell if one has been backed off a little.

 

[crashcollins]

I know we are all familiar with the crush washer for installing a muzzle device, but I recently put a few rifles together and it seems the crush washer has gone the way of the Dodo and in it's place are these very specific washers of varying thickness. The idea being that you have to try a bunch of different ones until you find the exact right thickness until your muzzle device is aligned properly, no crushing of any washer.
It provides a nice clean look, but you have to buy a whole whack load of these little bastards because there's no telling what thickness you actually need.

Kinda like the old peel washers! Keep peeling off strips until you get it right. Don't see any sense in buying a wack of washers of different thickness to try and find the right one. The peel washer or the crush washer make more sense to me.

 

[badboybeeson]

While we Are talking crush washers does anyone know what kind of steel they are made from??

 

[POMLT3-08]

I'm all for the crush washer. Makes it easy. But trying out this new method, seems like we took a few steps backwards lol.

 

[POMLT3-08]

I think (and I'm probably wrong) they are made of soft aluminum.

While we Are talking crush washers does anyone know what kind of steel they are made from??

 

[ted_dent]

I think (and I'm probably wrong) they are made of soft aluminum.

Most are made of aluminum. Apparently some are also copper. AR crush washers are typically aluminum.

 

[*MALICE*]

Most are made of aluminum. Apparently some are also copper. AR crush washers are typically aluminum.

Mild steel. Not aluminum.

Crush washers are usually blued or phosphated and since you can't blue or phosphate aluminum (anodizing only), it would be a neat trick if they were aluminum

 

[badboybeeson]

Mild steel. Not aluminum.

Crush washers are usually blued or phosphated and since you can't blue or phosphate aluminum (anodizing only), it would be a neat trick if they were aluminum

So something soft like 1018 steel?? any one know??

 

[Trinimon]

I usually get the PWS washer kits.

 

[*MALICE*]

So something soft like 1018 steel?? any one know??

I'll admit I don't know the EXACT grade, but anything between 1018-1035 should work just fine. You could use 4### (4140, 4130, 4340, etc) or 8620 if you wanted to get fancy

 

[mmattockx]

I think (and I'm probably wrong) they are made of soft aluminum.

Most are made of aluminum. Apparently some are also copper. AR crush washers are typically aluminum.

Mild steel. Not aluminum.

Definitely steel, not aluminum. Every crush washer I have checked will hold a magnet.

So something soft like 1018 steel?? any one know??

How badly do you want to know? PM me and we can discuss getting this determined with accuracy.

I'll admit I don't know the EXACT grade, but anything between 1018-1035 should work just fine. You could use 4### (4140, 4130, 4340, etc) or 8620 if you wanted to get fancy

None of the 4### series would work, they are simply far too hard and don't have enough ductility. Crush washers need to be almost like silly putty, with a very low yield strength and very high ductility to allow them to keep deforming without cracking or other failure.


Mark

 

[badboybeeson]

Mark
Will drop you a pm later just at the gym
Thanks
Bbb

 

[*MALICE*]

None of the 4### series would work, they are simply far too hard and don't have enough ductility. Crush washers need to be almost like silly putty, with a very low yield strength and very high ductility to allow them to keep deforming without cracking or other failure.

Ya, you're probably right about the 4###. I know YHM uses 8620.

 

[MikeDelta]

Generally, the thin washers are used with Rocksett (think high temperature Loctite...) to firmly attach the muzzle device for use with suppressors. That's why flash hiders such as the KAC NT4/Triple Tap and Surefire SOCOM series come with them and not a crush washer.