These Forgefix Square Plate Washers have a larger surface area than most round washers making them suitable for heavy-duty fastening They are ideal for use with Carriage Bolts in structural timber fastening applications such as joist work and decking The washers are bright Zinc Plated for increased resistance to corrosion APPLICATION Many structural applications where timber to timber fastening is required The large surface area distributes the load evenly under the bolt head Can be used with all types of bolts and nuts Zinc coatings prevent oxidation of the protected metal to create a longer lasting finish It does this by forming a barrier and by acting as a sacrificial anode if this barrier is damaged Zinc oxide is a fine white dust that in contrast to iron oxide does not trigger a breakdown of the substrate’s surface integrity as it is formed The zinc oxide if left intact can act as a barrier to further oxidation in a way similar to the protection afforded to aluminum and stainless steels by their oxide layers