What happens to self-locking nuts once removed?

Self-locking nuts, once removed, lose their locking mechanism's effectiveness due to the deformation and the reduction in friction that occurs during installation and removal. The design of these nuts relies on a specific engagement with the threads to maintain tension and prevent loosening under vibrational forces. When they are removed, the locking feature is compromised, and they cannot guarantee the same level of clamping force or resistance to loosening if reused. Thus, even if they appear undamaged, their reliability is diminished, making them unsuitable for reinstallation in critical applications where safety and performance are paramount. This is why choosing not to reinstall self-locking nuts after removal is important for maintaining safety standards and structural integrity.