High-reliability reusable lock nuts employing shape memory alloys

Prevailing torque lock nuts are divided into classes which relate to their temperature of use, and for temperatures up to 250 degrees F the most commonly employed locking device is a nylon insert. Although manufacturers of these devices claim that they are reusable, the Air Force requires that once removed, this type of lock nut must be replaced. An approach to a lock nut which has installation and removal torque's which conform to MIL specifications and can be reused many times is based on a castleated nut whose fingers are confined by a shape memory alloy ring. When installed on a male threaded component, the ring is forced open against the shape memory ring restraint, producing the frictional force inhibiting nut loosening from vibration and shock. Pseudoelastic nickel titanium rings were shown to perform well, but the temperature range for pseudoelasticity is limited to about 40°C. MIL specifications require that the locking characteristics be uniform from -51 to +71°C. Linear superelastic behavior can be generated in a NiTi alloy by cold work, and in this form strains up to 4% are fully recoverable over a wider temperature range: from -100 to +200°C. The square cross section rings employed on the smaller nut sizes, e.g. 1/4", 5/16" and 3/8" require precise dimensional control creating a difficult machining problem since the NiTi family of alloys are notoriously difficult to machine. An alternative titanium based alloy, developed for medical devices and contains no nickel, and was successfully substituted. Nut design and locking torque characteristics of nuts subjected to vibration and shock will be described.