Washers and shims are thin plates or pieces of material used to fill small gaps, distribute load, or adjust fit between objects. Shims support, level, or space parts, and can be made from various materials like metal, plastic, or paper. Washers spread load to prevent damage and loss of pre-load from vibration. They are usually metal or plastic disks categorized by their function as plain, spring, or locking washers. Phoenix Specialty manufactures custom washers and shims to specifications for over 100 years.

1. Washers and Shims or Shim
Washers and Shims or Shim what are they, and why do we need them? A shim is a thin and often
tapered or wedged piece of material, used to fill small gaps or spaces between objects.
A washer is a thin plate (typically disk-shaped) with a hole (typically in the middle) that is
normally used to distribute the load of a threaded fastener, such as a screw or nut.
Shims are typically used in order to support, adjust for better fit, or provide a level surface.
Shims may also be used as spacers to fill gaps between parts subject to wear.
Many materials make suitable shim stock, or base material, depending on the context: wood,
stone, plastic, metal, or even paper (e.g., when used under a table leg to level the table surface).
High quality shim stock can be bought commercially, for example as laminated shims, but shims
are often created ad hoc from whatever material is immediately available.
Washers are usually metal or plastic. High quality bolted joints require hardened steel washers to
prevent the loss of pre-load due to Brinelling after the torque is applied.
Rubber or fiber gaskets used in taps (or faucets, or valves) to stop the flow of water are
sometimes referred to colloquially as washers; but, while they may look similar, washers and
gaskets are usually designed for different functions and made differently.
Other uses are as a spacer, spring (belleville washer, wave washer), wear pad, preload indicating
device, locking device, and to reduce vibration (rubber washer). Washers usually have an outer
diameter (OD) about twice the width of their inner diameter
Laminated shim stock is stacked foil that can be peeled off one layer at a time to adjust the
thickness of the shim.
In manufacturing, shims are commonly used to adjust the clearance or space between two parts.
For example, shims are inserted into or under bucket tappets to control valve clearances.
Clearance is adjusted by changing the thickness of the shim.
Washers can be categorised into three types;
1. 'plain washers', which spread a load, and prevent damage to the surface being fixed, or
provide some sort of insulation such as electrical;
2. 'spring washers', which have axial flexibility and are used to prevent fastening loosening
due to vibrations; and
3. 'locking washers' which prevent fastening loosening by preventing unscrewing rotation of
the fastening device; locking washers are usually also spring washers.
The term washer is also often used for disc shaped devices used as grommets.

2. Phoenix Specialty manufactures precision Washers and Shims or Shim. Washers and Shims or
Shim are manufactured to your requirements and specifications is our mission.
For over 100 years, we have been the leading supplier of custom specialty Washers and Shims or
Shim parts to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).