Disc Springs and Belleville Washers

Product detail · Updated 9 October 2026

Product and application brief

A disc spring is a continuous conical annulus loaded along its axis. Its identity includes the working force and deflection requirements, not only the bore and outside diameter. Belleville terminology overlaps in catalogues, so state the selected product specification and application instead of assuming every cupped washer has the same spring behaviour.

Product forms and reference names

Choice or field	What to identify
Single disc spring	One conical spring element with a controlled bore, outer diameter, section and free height; identify the exact drawing or catalogue designation.
Nested parallel set	Elements face the same direction and nest. SCHNORR distinguishes parallel arrangements from alternating series arrangements; require the exact count and stack drawing.
Alternating series stack	Successive elements or sets oppose one another. Series and combined arrangements are spring assemblies, not an unspecified bag of washers.
Conical washer for a bolted connection	DIN 6796:2009-08 names conical spring washers for bolted connections. Do not assume the same quality, geometry or fatigue criteria as a disc spring selected under EN 16983.

Disc spring versus Belleville washer

SPIROL distinguishes engineered disc-spring selection for predictable spring behaviour and cycling from Belleville-washer use in primarily static fastening applications. Terminology varies, and shape alone does not establish the specification, fatigue life or suitability. Request the selected maker code and design requirements.

Quality specification is not the calculation method

DIN Media lists DIN EN 16983:2017-09 for disc-spring quality specifications and dimensions, and DIN EN 16984:2017-09 for calculation, both as current records. EN 16983 and EN 16984 are separate documents. The 16983 record relates its technical content to DIN 2093:2013-12; this does not establish conformity for a offered part or equivalence of any catalogue item. Full normative tables and calculations are not supplied here.

Define the working points before selecting a stack

Give required force at each installed height or deflection, the available axial space and the single-disc or stack configuration. SCHNORR describes series arrangements as adding travel and parallel arrangements as adding force; real stack selection still needs product-specific friction, guidance and application checks. No universal multiplier is a performance guarantee.

Guidance, environment and verification

Identify inner or outer guidance, support faces and stack orientation. SCHNORR's enquiry form asks for static/dynamic duty, load form, required cycles, temperature at the spring and corrosion environment. These are design inputs, not promised ratings. Confirm material, finish, tolerances, inspection and assembly instructions against the selected specification.

Specification fields

Choice or field	What to identify
Identity	Single spring, complete stack or bolted-connection washer; exact product code, specification/edition and controlled drawing/revision.
Geometry	Outside/inside diameters, section thickness, free overall height and any contact-flat/reduced-section details from the chosen drawing; state units and tolerances.
Working points	Required force at specified installed heights or deflections, preload and travel limits supplied by the application designer.
Arrangement and space	Disc count, orientation, discs per set, sets in series, stack height and available bore/outside/axial envelope; attach a stack drawing.
Interfaces	Inner or outer guide, abutment surfaces, installation orientation and clearances according to the selected product instructions.
Duty and environment	Static/dynamic loading, loading pattern, requested cycle requirement, actual spring temperature and corrosion exposure; no generic guarantee.
Order and evidence	Material/condition/finish, requested force and dimensional inspection, quantity as discs or complete stacks and applicable documentation; actual supply requires confirmation.

Common product questions

Is a disc spring an ordinary split lock washer?

No. A continuous conical spring annulus and a split washer are different constructions. Spring geometry does not establish a locking, sealing or vibration qualification.

Are EN 16983 and EN 16984 the same requirement?

No. Their official catalogue titles distinguish quality/dimensions from calculation. Select the applicable edition and required evidence; a catalogue number does not prove supplied-part compliance.

Can a stack be chosen from diameter and disc count alone?

No. Define working force and height, orientation, space, guidance and duty. Obtain exact product or engineering data rather than assuming a universal load, travel, life or temperature rating.

Product references

References checked 9 October 2026 identify structures, not FastenerBridge stock, certification or brand affiliation. Final requirements follow the selected specification. No universal dimensions, load rating or tightening torque is stated.