SOLIDWEDGE Wedgelocks from WaveTherm

The Belleville upgrade replaces the split lock washers on SOLIDWEDGE™ wedgelocks with Belleville washers. A Belleville washer is a conical spring washer, so it keeps preload on the drive screw and holds clamping force consistent through thermal cycling, shock, and vibration. Unlike a split lock washer, it does not shed fragments, which removes a source of foreign object debris (FOD). It is standard on the MAGNUM series, available on most other SOLIDWEDGE™ wedgelocks, and combines with options like Big Boss and Torque Limiting. For high-shock, high-vibration applications, Max Force SOLIDWEDGE™ wedgelocks with the Big Boss and Belleville upgrades are the recommended starting point. QUICK-LOCK wedgelocks do not need it, since their self-locking threads replace secondary locking hardware.

Belleville advantages | Shop Belleville SOLIDWEDGE™ wedgelocks | Which wedgelock is right for your application?

The Helicoil upgrade adds a helical thread insert to the aluminum drive wedge of SOLIDWEDGE™ wedgelocks. Without it, the stainless steel drive screw runs directly in aluminum threads, and repeated tightening under high load can cause galling, where the mating surfaces wear, tear, and can seize. The insert reduces galling between the drive screw and the drive wedge, which eliminates a potential source of FOD and extends the life and performance of the wedgelock. WaveTherm generally recommends the Helicoil upgrade for all new designs. It is especially valuable where cards are installed and removed often, such as test environments or systems with frequent field maintenance.

SOLIDWEDGE™ wedgelocks are available in several finishes, each per a military or AMS specification. Screws, nuts, washers, and straps are 300 series stainless steel, passivated per AMS-2700.

• BA: Black anodize per MIL-A-8625 Type II Class 2. Reliable corrosion resistance for general rugged use.
• BH: Hard black anodize per MIL-A-8625 Type III Class 2. Superior corrosion resistance and durability for harsh environments and frequent insertion/extraction.
• EN: Electroless nickel per MIL-C-26074 Class 4 Grade B. The standard choice when thermal performance and electrical conductivity both matter.
• CC / CG: Chemical film per MIL-DTL-5541 Class 1A, clear or gold. For legacy or program-specific specs only. CG is not RoHS or REACH compliant.
• BHT / HXN: Specialty lubricious topcoats (Teflon over BH per AMS-2482, WaveSlik hex boron nitride over EN) for rare, highest-performance applications. Available on select models.

How to choose the right wedgelock finish