Product and application brief
A tab washer is a formed sheet component with a locating feature and a tongue intended to engage a defined mating feature. Its purchase identity is the complete washer-and-mating-interface arrangement, not simply a hole diameter. This page separates external long/short-tab patterns from bearing-lock washers with an inner locating tab and outer bendable tabs; neither is the same construction as a toothed lock washer or a split spring washer.
Product forms and reference names
| Choice or field | What to identify |
|---|---|
| Long and short external tabs | Bossard BN 845 is a manufacturer catalogue example of a washer with long and short tabs. Its DIN 463 label is marked withdrawn and its UNI reference approximate; retain the selected drawing and edition instead of assuming current compliance or equivalence. |
| Bearing-lock tab washer | DIN 5406:2011-04 identifies rolling-bearing locking devices including washers and clips intended for DIN 981 locknuts. A washer and a locking clip are different components; confirm the exact selected device. |
| MB / MBL catalogue construction | Schaeffler describes an inner tab locating in a shaft or adapter-sleeve slot and outer tabs, one of which engages a slot in the matching nut. MB/MBL are catalogue identities, not a universal interchangeable washer size. |
| Drawing-based tab or locking plate | Special tab count, outline, bore or locating detail follows a controlled drawing. A plate or other retainer is not automatically a standard tab washer. |
External tabs versus a shaft-keyway interface
The long/short-tab pattern and the bearing-lock pattern require different mating details. For an external-tab design, identify which tongue and surrounding feature locate the washer and which contact it is intended to retain on the selected drawing. For a bearing-lock washer, record both the shaft or sleeve slot and the nut slot; matching the bore alone does not establish fit.
Tab washers are not toothed lock washers
A bearing-lock washer can have several broad outer tongues, but those tongues are not serrations selected to bite a bearing surface. Keep tab location and bend geometry separate from internal/external tooth-washer designations. Do not substitute a split washer, toothed washer or locking clip based only on appearance.
Standard identity and catalogue limits
DIN Media currently lists DIN 5406:2011-04 for the rolling-bearing locking-device family. Bossard marks DIN 463 withdrawn for its long/short-tab example. The two references address different constructions, and catalogue names do not establish equal dimensions, material requirements or performance. Full normative tables were not consulted; no dimensional or compliance table is supplied here.
Material, forming and assembly requirements
Specify sheet material, thickness, edge condition, finish and any drawing-defined forming requirements. Obtain the selected manufacturer's assembly and replacement instructions rather than assuming a universal bend angle, tool, tightening value or number of reuse cycles. These component identities are not a vibration qualification or a joint-strength guarantee.
Specification fields
| Choice or field | What to identify |
|---|---|
| Identity | Selected construction, requested standard/edition or exact maker reference, drawing and revision; washer versus locking clip or plate. |
| Envelope and bore | Bore, outside outline, thickness and tolerances with units; do not infer a washer designation from shaft nominal diameter alone. |
| Locating feature | Internal tab or external locating tongue, its width/projection and the corresponding shaft, sleeve, groove or surrounding feature. |
| Retaining tabs | Tab count, location, length, width and specified final orientation; mating nut slots or adjacent component geometry. |
| Mating components | Exact nut/shaft/sleeve or bolt arrangement and drawing; access and installation clearance. |
| Material and surface | Sheet material/condition, finish, edge/burr requirement and forming/inspection criteria specified separately. |
| Order and documents | Quantity, size list, controlled drawing, inspection documents and unresolved inputs; confirm actual supply scope before ordering. |
Common product questions
Are long/short-tab washers and bearing-lock washers interchangeable?
No. Their locating and retaining interfaces differ. Identify the complete mating arrangement and selected specification rather than substituting by bore size.
Does DIN 463 identify a current compliance basis?
The cited Bossard catalogue marks DIN 463 withdrawn. Treat that label as catalogue identification and agree the controlling drawing and edition; it is not evidence of current product compliance.
Can tab washers be reused or bent to any angle?
No universal reuse rule, bend angle, tightening value or tool compatibility is stated here. Follow the selected product instructions and application requirements.
Related product choices
- Round nuts and bearing lock nuts: matching nut and locking interface
- Toothed lock washers: a different construction
- Split spring washers: a different construction
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.