The iron padlock wire or lock wire is a physical locking device that holds nuts, bolts, or other fasteners in place and counteracts forces (such as vibration) acting on the connection point. Mainly used in aerospace and automotive applications (where there is a lot of vibration!), it is composed of soft stainless steel or high-nickel alloys, which can be wound and tightened in the application while maintaining its strength to withstand the pressure and strain of its environment. This is the basics, but what about the details that lead to a series of grades, sizes, and colors?

First, there are some specifications that provide guidance on what to look for in critical applications. The specification is NASM 20995, which sets the basic standard for aerospace applications of safety locks. You should always choose a product with this certification. Technically, for many applications, you don't have to do this, but you use it for safety (right?), so don't bargain when looking for performance.

Safety lock line level
Traditional safety lock wires are made of a variety of alloys, such as Monel, Inconel, stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum and even copper. These items are all available, but it is more common to use 304 or 316 stainless steel, Monel or Inconel in high-risk applications. These alloys provide the best balance of strength and corrosion resistance, especially at higher temperatures in various environments.

Standard size of safety lock wire
The standard size range of the safety lock-1 safety lock cable is 0.015" to 0.091". The most commonly used sizes range from 0.020" to 0.040", covering the most common applications. The required size depends on the expected force on the material. And I believe you have guessed it, the greater the force, the greater the wire required.

If needed, most wire companies can provide custom sizes, but in fact, most engineers are best to choose standard available sizes for design. These "stock" items often come in a variety of packaging formats, from 1 pound, 5 pound, and 10 pound bulk spools to 1/4 to 1 pound spools and cans. In the lens, the length of each pound container is between 250 and 1,000 feet, with larger materials having fewer feet per pound of material.

long shackle padlock line color availability
This section focuses on two aspects of the color related to the security lock thread. First of all, depending on your application, a security lock line with natural finish (shiny, silver) or oxidized finish (blackened) can be provided. If this is what you are looking for, this will add a little different tone to the finished product.