Engineered Shim Washers Built to Perform in Demanding Environments
At Stephens Gaskets, we manufacture shim washers designed to solve alignment, spacing and wear issues inside mechanical assemblies. Our engineers produce shims in a wide variety of materials to ensure each washer performs exactly as its application demands. As highlighted in the original article, the material you select matters, because each offers its own durability, friction rating and resistance characteristics.
Rather than viewing shim washers as “simple” components, we treat them as precision tools that protect vital equipment and reduce long-term operational costs.
Choosing the Right Shim Washer Material
1. Aluminium Shim Washers – Lightweight, Protective and Impact Absorbing
Aluminium shims are used where a softer, more forgiving buffer is needed. They are ideal for assemblies with limited movement or where subtle impact absorption prevents damage to more delicate components.
2. Brass Shim Washers – Low Friction and Spark-Resistant
Brass shims excel in environments requiring:
- Low friction.
- Reliable conductivity.
- Zero sparking.
Brass is commonly used in gearing, plumbing, bearings and electrical assemblies, and it is chosen specifically because it will not spark – a critical safety feature around gases, chemicals and fire-risk zones.
Brass is also recyclable, adding to its cost efficiency.
3. Copper Shim Washers – High Conductivity & Stable Performance
Copper provides excellent conductivity and mechanical stability, making it suitable for applications where electrical performance and corrosion resistance matter.
4. Carbon Spring Steel Shim Washers – Strength, Flexibility and Long-Term Support
Carbon spring steel – described in the file as the most common shim washer material – offers the best balance of strength, flexibility and support.
It is ideal for:
- Heavy-duty industrial loads.
- High-movement environments.
- Long-life machinery requiring dependable support.
How Shim Washers Reduce Industrial Costs
Shim washers help reduce equipment replacement costs. Instead of allowing two surfaces to wear each other down, a shim washer takes the impact, meaning only the inexpensive washer needs replacing.
This simple, low-cost component can dramatically extend machinery lifespan.
Ready-Made & Custom Shim Washers – Supplied Fast Across the UK
We supply a large stock range of popular diameters, widths and thicknesses.
For specialised applications, we also manufacture shims to bespoke sizes using modern laser-cutting systems, ensuring accuracy even in highly technical geometries.
Our West Midlands location lets us supply customers nationwide quickly and efficiently.
Experience That Drives Quality
Founded in 1947, Stephens Gaskets has decades of engineering experience behind every shim washer we manufacture. Our customer service team is always available to recommend the correct material, thickness or design for your application.
FAQs
1. Which shim washer material is best for my application?
Aluminium is best for softer buffering, brass for low-friction and spark-free environments, copper for conductivity, and carbon spring steel for strength. Our team can recommend the most suitable option.
2. Can Stephens Gaskets manufacture custom shim washer dimensions?
Yes. We offer bespoke shim manufacturing and laser-cut solutions for unique diameters, thicknesses and specialist engineering fits.
3. Do you hold shim washers in stock for fast delivery?
We stock popular diameters, widths and gauges – including DIN 988 variants – ensuring rapid dispatch for most standard orders.
4. How do shim washers help reduce maintenance costs?
Shim washers absorb wear that would otherwise damage more expensive components. Replacing a low-cost shim is far cheaper than repairing machinery surfaces.
5. Do you supply shim washers nationwide?
Yes. Our central West Midlands location allows quick delivery to all areas of the UK.
Contact Stephens Gaskets – Shim Washer Specialists
Contact Our Team
Phone: +44 (0)121 544 5808
Email: sales@stephensgaskets.co.uk
Visit Website
Address: Stephens Gaskets Ltd, 19 Hainge Road, Tividale, Oldbury, West Midlands B69 2NR.