The curvy, spring-like shape adds a small amount of tension to prevent nuts and screws from backing out due to mild vibration. These washers also flex slightly to compensate for uneven surfaces. While more secure than a standard flat washer, these have the least amount of gripping power of all our lock washers. They are best suited for electrical panels, light fixtures, and other light duty assemblies. These washers hold their shape when untightened, so you can reuse them a handful of times without losing strength.