Screws Shaking Loose: Vibrations Explained

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Johnleprekan
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SUMMARY

Vibrations cause screws to loosen by enabling slippage between the inclined planes of the screw threads and the material they are anchored in. Friction is the primary force preventing this slippage; however, constant vibrations reduce this friction, leading to screws becoming looser over time. Additionally, the expansion and contraction of materials, such as wood, due to sound wave vibrations can further exacerbate this issue, as the screw may shift position relative to the wood, creating a scenario where it is easier for the screw to turn rather than shear into the wood.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics principles, particularly friction and inclined planes
  • Knowledge of material properties, specifically expansion and contraction of wood
  • Familiarity with screw mechanics and thread design
  • Awareness of vibration effects on mechanical fasteners
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the effects of vibration on mechanical fasteners in engineering
  • Learn about different screw thread designs and their resistance to loosening
  • Investigate materials with high friction coefficients for screw applications
  • Explore methods to mitigate vibration-induced loosening in construction and manufacturing
USEFUL FOR

Engineers, construction professionals, and anyone involved in mechanical assembly or maintenance who seeks to understand and prevent screw loosening due to vibrations.

Johnleprekan
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Can anyone explain how vibrations actually shake a screw loose from a shelf? What is happening there?
 
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My suggestion !...screws are essentially 2 inclined planes wanting to slide past each other. It is only friction that prevents this happening. If there were no friction screws would have a tendency to unwind under any load at all.
I would imagine that constant vibration enables slippage to occur and this is bound to result in screws getting slacker. I have never come across vibration making screws tighten up !
 
Expansion and contraction

as the sound waves pass through the object in question it expands and contracts this action is what's turning your screw

Wood expands screw loosens up some
Then then wood contracts but the screw is in a slightly diffrent place so it becomes a question of least resistance is it easier to sheer metal into wood or turn the screw?

I could be wrong but that's my take on it
 
Thank you.
 

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