What type of washer is used to span oversized holes?

The correct response to the question regarding the type of washer used to span oversized holes is a fender washer. Fender washers are specifically designed with a larger outer diameter compared to standard flat washers. This feature allows them to distribute the load over a larger surface area, making them ideal for covering and adequately supporting the fasteners in applications where the drilled or punched holes are larger than the fastener itself.

In various applications, oversized holes may lead to inadequate support or stability of the fastener, and using a fender washer helps prevent issues such as pull-through or loosening. By utilizing fender washers, the fastener can maintain a secure connection while effectively compensating for the size of the hole, thereby enhancing the integrity of the assembly.

Other types of washers, such as lock washers, flat washers, and spring washers, serve different purposes. Lock washers are mainly used to prevent loosening due to vibration, flat washers provide a smooth bearing surface and load distribution, and spring washers offer resistance to axial loading. However, none of these offer the same structural coverage for oversized holes as fender washers do.