Product Validation Testing

The VisiLok nut has been subject to an extensive program of testing to ensure successful operation in the most extreme conditions. Tests included:

• Operation at 140°C
  
  
• Operation at 140°C with ambient water quench
  
  
• Operation at -20°C
  
  
• Pressure wash abuse
  
  
• On/off test with worn and new socket
  
  
• Immersion in industry standard cleaning fluid
  

The nut was also subjected to an industry standard Salt Spray Accelerated Corrosion Test

• Carried out in an Ascott S450t salt spray cabinet
  
  
• 16 day test in Neutral Salt Spray – 384 hrs total to SO 9227
  
  
• Test roughly equivalent to 4 years in-service
  
  
• Parts inspected & checked for correct function every 100 hours
  

Torque & Tensile Test

• Slots machined into nuts to test proof load
  
  
• Slots machined in OEM studs to test tensile load
  
  
• 650Nm applied with no damage to bare nut
  
  
• Studs proof load tested to 333kN – nuts removed by hand successfully
  
  
• Issued with certificate 166560 from Caparo

Vibration rig test

• A vibration rig was used to test general vibration resistance, find resonant frequencies and analyse possible ‘chatter’ of deployed nut
  
  
• Rig test subjected nut to frequencies of 4-500Hz at varying amplitudes
  
  
• Resonant frequencies found around 102Hz & 126Hz at 15m/s2 amplitude
  
  
• Nut subjected to 24 hour exposure at resonant frequencies in deployed state with no evident damage