STAINLESS STEEL AFNOR FLAT WASHERS NFE 25-514 TYPE Z

AFNOR Flat Washers NFE 25-514 Type Z — NFE 25-514 sets out a graduated French-standard flat washer series with four distinct sizes for the same bolt diameter - Z, M, L, and LL - each offering a different outside diameter and thickness, and Type Z sits at the narrow end, giving the smallest bearing footprint of the four. That makes it the choice specifically where clearance around the fastener is tighter than standard, or where the joint simply does not need extra load-spreading area - similar to choosing a small-series washer over the normal series in the ISO 200HV system, where a compact footprint is a genuine benefit rather than just the cheapest option. It performs the same basic function as any flat washer: distributing the bolt or nut's clamping force over a wider area than the fastener head alone, and providing a flat, consistent bearing surface where the clamped material's own surface is not perfectly even. It shares a similar compact-washer role with ISO 7092, but the two are governed by entirely separate dimensional tables under different standards systems, so they should not be assumed interchangeable without checking bore, outside diameter, and thickness against the actual drawing. Type Z is specified almost exclusively where a project or piece of equipment is built to French/AFNOR standards rather than DIN or ISO, so the first real decision when quoting is usually whether AFNOR compliance is genuinely required, rather than which of the four AFNOR sizes to pick. Material selection follows general flat washer logic: mild steel with a protective plating for indoor and general-purpose fixings, A2 (304-equivalent) stainless as the standard upgrade for outdoor or washdown environments, and A4 (316-equivalent) reserved specifically for marine, coastal, or chemically aggressive conditions where A2 would eventually pit. To choose correctly, confirm the bolt diameter and check the required outside diameter and thickness against the NFE 25-514 specification before selecting Z over the larger M, L, or LL alternatives.

FAQs
How does Type Z compare to Types M, L, and LL?
The four types progress from Type Z (smallest outside diameter) through M and L to LL (largest), giving designers a choice of load-spreading area for the same bolt diameter within the AFNOR system.

Is NFE 25-514 Type Z the same as ISO 7092?
Both serve a similar compact-washer role within their respective standards, but they are governed by separate dimensional tables and should not be assumed interchangeable without checking bore, outside diameter, and thickness.

When would Type Z be preferred over Type M?
Where clearance around the fastener is more restricted than standard, and maximum load-spreading area is not the priority, similar to choosing a small-series washer over a normal-series one in the ISO system.