Hot Dip Galvanised Washers for Structural Steel
What happens when a structural bolt needs to bear against a steel surface that sits on an angle? Bremick Structural Taper Washers use a square 8° taper to compensate for compatible inclined surfaces, creating a flatter bearing interface for the fastener within the structural connection.
Available in M12, M16, M20 & M24, these hot dip galvanised structural taper washers are designed for compatible structural steel connections where an 8° taper is required.
For the wider fastening assembly, Structural Fasteners & Bolts provides related structural hardware, while Flat Washer covers washer options for applications requiring a conventional flat washer.
The key difference is geometry. A taper washer isn't selected merely because its centre hole fits the bolt; its angle needs to correspond with the connection it is being used in.
What Are Structural Taper Washers?
An inclined flange changes how a bolt head or nut meets the steel. Without the correct arrangement, the fastener can be presented with an angled bearing surface rather than the flatter interface required by the connection.
Bremick Structural Taper Washers are square washers manufactured with an 8° taper. The changing thickness across the washer compensates for a compatible inclined steel surface, providing a flat bearing surface for more even loading across the connection.
You may also see this type of washer identified as:
► Structural taper washers
► Square taper washers
► 8° taper washers
► 8 degree taper washers
► Galvanised taper washers
► Hot dip galvanised taper washers
► Metric taper washers
► Structural steel taper washers
► Tapered structural washers
Bremick's documented range covers M12, M16, M20 & M24 metric sizes with a hot dip galvanised finish.
When the same job requires related nuts & washer hardware, Nuts & Washers provides a broader fastening range.
Why Choose Structural Taper Washers?
A standard flat washer cannot remove the angle from a tapered flange simply because it fits over the same bolt.
The advantage of an 8° square taper washer comes from its shape. Where a compatible structural surface presents the corresponding incline, the washer compensates for that geometry so the bolt head or nut can bear against a flatter surface.
That makes the correct taper washer relevant to:
► Compatible tapered structural sections
► Taper-flange beams
► RSJ connections where an 8° taper is required
► Structural steel fabrication
► Building frames
► Industrial structures
► Equipment support frames
► Existing structural assemblies
► Maintenance replacement
► Compatible structural bolting
Think of the washer as a transition between the sloping steel & the fastener. One face accommodates the incline while the opposite face provides the required bearing orientation.
This is also why a structural taper washer shouldn't automatically be exchanged for an ordinary flat washer.
For additional fastening components used across fabrication & construction, Bolts & Fasteners provides a wider hardware range.
Common Applications
Look closely at an older tapered-flange beam & the reason for the square washer beneath the fastener can become immediately apparent.
Bremick 8° structural taper washers can be relevant where a compatible connection needs to accommodate an inclined bearing surface, including:
► Taper-flange beam connections
► Compatible RSJ connections
► Structural steel erection
► Fabricated steel frames
► Building steelwork
► Industrial support structures
► Equipment frames
► Heavy fabrication
► Structural maintenance
► Replacement of correctly identified taper washers
Existing steelwork creates one of the most important identification jobs. A maintenance crew dismantling an older structural connection may find a square taper washer beneath the bolt head or nut. Its presence shouldn't be dismissed as an unusual flat washer.
New fabrication shifts the focus from identification to preparation. The drawing or connection requirements should establish whether a taper washer is needed before bolts, nuts & washers are issued to the fabrication bay.
Stores teams have a different problem again: preventing similar nominal sizes from becoming mixed. An M20 structural flat washer & an M20 structural taper washer may correspond with the same nominal bolt diameter, yet their forms & purposes are different.
For more practical background on choosing fastening components as part of the complete assembly, read Fastener Guide Bolts Screws Anchors.
Product Selection Guide
Before choosing a taper washer, identify the bolt, inspect the steel surface & establish why the connection requires the taper.
Confirm The 8° Taper
Angle comes before appearance with this washer family.
Bremick documents these Structural Taper Washers with an 8° taper. That makes the angle an important selection detail rather than a minor dimensional feature.
Don't assume every structural taper washer uses the same angle. Different structural sections & fastening arrangements can require different washer geometry.
Where an 8° washer is specified, Bremick's documented range provides:
|
Bremick Structural Taper Washer
|
Taper
|
Finish
|
|
M12
|
8°
|
Hot dip galvanised
|
|
M16
|
8°
|
Hot dip galvanised
|
|
M20
|
8°
|
Hot dip galvanised
|
|
M24
|
8°
|
Hot dip galvanised
|
Match The Nominal Bolt Size
Once the required taper is established, move to the fastener diameter.
An M20 structural connection requiring this washer type starts the selection process with the corresponding M20 8° structural taper washer.
Check:
► Nominal bolt diameter
► Required washer type
► 8° taper requirement
► Washer orientation
► Bolt & nut arrangement
► Bearing surface
► Finish
► Connection documentation
A bolt passing through the washer only confirms clearance. It doesn't confirm that the washer angle, dimensions or fastening arrangement are correct.
Identify The Structural Section
The shape of the steel often explains why the taper washer appears in the connection.
Square taper washers are associated with structural sections where an inclined surface needs to be compensated for. An 8° taper is commonly associated with suitable taper-flange beam or RSJ applications.
Other structural profiles can use different angles. For that reason, don't choose an 8° washer simply because the steel surface appears sloped.
Check the actual section & connection requirement first.
Install The Taper In The Correct Direction
Turn the washer the wrong way & the geometry works against the job it was selected to perform.
The taper needs to be oriented so it compensates for the inclined steel surface & presents the appropriate bearing face to the bolt head or nut.
When replacing hardware from an existing assembly, record the original orientation before dismantling where practical.
Don't Confuse Taper Washers With Structural Flat Washers
Same bolt size doesn't mean same washer function.
|
Feature
|
8° Structural Taper Washer
|
Structural Flat Washer
|
|
Shape
|
Square with tapered thickness
|
Flat
|
|
Bremick range here
|
M12–M24
|
Separate product family
|
|
Taper
|
8°
|
None
|
|
Finish here
|
Hot dip galvanised
|
Depends on product
|
|
Primary role
|
Compensates for a compatible inclined surface
|
Flat structural washer component
|
|
Selection basis
|
Bolt size + required taper + connection
|
Bolt size + connection requirements
|
|
Direct substitution
|
No
|
No
|
Stacking flat washers isn't a substitute for the required taper geometry. Where the connection calls for an 8° structural taper washer, retain the specified washer arrangement.
Check The Hot Dip Galvanised Finish
Surface finish becomes especially relevant once structural hardware moves from the workshop into exposed service.
Bremick documents this M12–M24 range as hot dip galvanised.
Consider:
► Bolt finish
► Nut finish
► Washer finish
► Connected steelwork
► Exposure conditions
► Existing hardware
► Project requirements
Where a job specifies particular coating properties or corrosion requirements, verify the complete fastening specification before ordering.
Check The Connection Requirements
Structural hardware should follow the connection documentation rather than workshop habit.
Bremick documentation for its K0 structural fastening range references dimensional requirements aligned with AS/NZS 1252.1:2016. Where a project nominates AS/NZS 1252 or another structural fastening requirement, confirm the current documentation applicable to the exact washer & complete assembly being supplied.
Measure Unknown Components Before Replacement
A square washer removed from an old beam can reveal its purpose only after its dimensions & taper are properly checked.
Record the nominal bolt size, washer dimensions, thickness change, orientation & structural section before choosing the replacement.
Measuring & Layout Tools can support general workshop & fabrication measurements during identification.
M12–M24 Bremick 8° Square Taper Washers
Four nominal sizes make identification straightforward once the required 8° geometry has been confirmed.
M12 Structural Taper Washer
Bremick's M12 8° square taper washer provides the smallest nominal size in the documented range with a hot dip galvanised finish.
M16 Structural Taper Washer
The M16 structural taper washer provides the corresponding metric option for compatible M16 connections requiring an 8° tapered washer.
M20 Structural Taper Washer
Bremick's M20 8° taper washer suits compatible M20 structural fastening arrangements where the specified bearing geometry calls for this washer type.
M24 Structural Taper Washer
At the upper end of the documented range, the M24 structural taper washer provides the corresponding hot dip galvanised option for compatible M24 connections.
Good stock labels record function as well as diameter. “M20 – 8° structural taper washer – HDG” tells a fabrication or maintenance team considerably more than a container marked simply “M20 washers”.
Expert Tips
Look at the steel before opening the washer bin. An inclined bearing surface can explain why the connection requires a taper washer in the first place.
Photograph unfamiliar assemblies before dismantling them. Washer position, taper orientation, bolt markings & nut location can all become useful references during maintenance.
Measure an unknown taper rather than assuming it is 8°. Square taper washers can exist in other angles for different structural profiles.
Keep taper washers physically separated from structural flat washers. Similar nominal diameters make mixed storage an unnecessary source of identification errors.
Check mating hardware at the same time. Correct washer geometry doesn't compensate for the wrong bolt, nut or fastener size.
Inspect removed washers for deformation, corrosion & damaged galvanising. Replacement decisions should reflect the requirements of the connection rather than automatically returning old hardware to service.
Use suitable installation tools for the fastener assembly. Spanner & Wrench Sets provide related workshop tooling for compatible bolted fastening work.
For another practical look at why apparently simple fastening components deserve careful selection, read Why Good Fasteners Matter More Than the Tool You Drive Them With.
Maintenance crews working around structural plant, frames & heavy equipment may also find Quarry Crews Crusher Maintenance useful.
