Buy Durasquirt Washers Online in Australia
Durasquirt Washer Selection — Quick Reference
Durasquirt + load-indicating washers (LIW) — VISUAL torque confirmation for structural bolted connections. Bolt tightens → squirter ejects coloured silicone → installer sees PROOF of correct torque. Structural steel + bridge + crane + scaffold. AS 1252 compliance.
| LIW Type | Best For |
|---|---|
| Durasquirt DTI Washer | Structural bolt verification |
| Match to Bolt Grade (8.8 / 10.9) | Bolt specification |
| Hot-Dip Galvanised | Outdoor + heavy structural |
| Standard / Plain Finish | Indoor structural |
| Match Bolt Diameter (M12-M30) | Structural range |
| Visual Inspection Witness | Documented tension proof |
| Single-Use ONLY | Don't reuse — squirter expended |
Critical: Direct Tension Indicator (DTI) confirms BOLT TENSION not torque — vastly more accurate. AS 1252.1 compliance. Single-USE only. Place under hardened washer per spec. Brand: Hobson, Applied Bolting. Companion: structural washers, washers, safety washers, fasteners.
Durasquirt and Squirter DTI Washers
Durasquirt and Squirter washers are Direct Tension Indicator (DTI) washers — load-indicating washers that give a visual, verifiable confirmation that a structural bolt has been tightened to the correct tension. As the bolt is tightened, raised bumps on the washer face compress and squeeze coloured silicone out through witness holes; when silicone is visible at the gap around the full circumference, the bolt has reached its specified tension. AIMS Industrial stocks Hobson's Durasquirt DTI washers and Applied Bolting's Squirter DTI washers, in Class 8.8, Class 10.9 and Grade 5, in hot-dip galvanised and plain/black finishes, for structural steel, bridge, crane and scaffold connections requiring verified bolt tension.
Tension, Not Torque
A torque wrench measures the twisting force applied to a bolt, but torque readings are affected by thread friction, lubrication and surface condition — the same torque can produce very different actual bolt tension from one connection to the next. A DTI washer sidesteps that uncertainty by measuring the physical compression of the washer itself, giving a direct, visible read on the actual clamping force achieved — the figure that determines whether a structural connection performs as designed.
Class and Grade Matching
Durasquirt and Squirter DTI washers are manufactured to match specific bolt classes and grades — Class 8.8 and Class 10.9 to AS/NZS metric bolt grades, and Grade 5 for imperial/UNC applications. The washer's compression characteristics are calibrated to the bolt grade it's designed for, so matching the washer class to the bolt grade specified in the connection design is essential — an unmatched washer won't give a reliable tension reading.
Finish and Application
Hot-dip galvanised DTI washers suit outdoor and heavy structural applications exposed to weather — bridges, external structural steel, and exposed crane and scaffold connections. Plain or black finish washers suit indoor structural work where corrosion protection is less critical. In both cases the washer sits under a hardened flat washer per the manufacturer's fitting instructions, and — because the silicone-filled gaps are physically compressed and expended during installation — a DTI washer is single-use only and can't be reused if a joint is broken and re-made.
For help specifying the right DTI washer class and finish for your structural connection, contact our team. AIMS Industrial has been supporting Australian trade and construction since 1988.
People Also Ask — Durasquirt and Squirter DTI Washers
Q: What is a DTI washer, and how is it different from a regular washer?
A Direct Tension Indicator (DTI) washer is a load-indicating washer with raised bumps that compress as a bolt is tightened, squeezing coloured silicone out through witness holes to give a direct visual confirmation of bolt tension — a regular flat washer just spreads clamping load and gives no indication of tension at all.
Q: Why does measuring tension matter more than measuring torque?
Torque readings are affected by thread friction, lubrication and surface condition, so the same torque can produce very different actual bolt tension from one connection to the next. A DTI washer measures the physical compression of the washer itself, giving a direct read on the actual clamping force achieved — the figure that actually determines a structural connection's performance.
Q: Why do DTI washers need to match a specific bolt class or grade?
The washer's compression characteristics are calibrated to the bolt grade it's designed for — Class 8.8 and Class 10.9 to AS/NZS metric grades, Grade 5 for imperial/UNC applications. An unmatched washer won't compress in a way that gives a reliable tension reading, so matching class to the bolt grade specified in the connection design is essential.
Q: Can a DTI washer be reused if a bolted joint needs to be undone and re-made?
No — the silicone-filled gaps are physically compressed and expended during installation, so a DTI washer is single-use only. A joint that's broken and re-made needs a fresh washer to give a valid tension reading.
Q: When would I choose a hot-dip galvanised DTI washer over plain/black finish?
Hot-dip galvanised suits outdoor and heavy structural applications exposed to weather — bridges, external structural steel, exposed crane and scaffold connections. Plain or black finish suits indoor structural work where corrosion protection is less critical.