More about Retaining Rings

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To set a component on a shaft or in a bore, fasten it in place with retaining rings. Also called snap rings, the primary retaining ring model is either internal or external. While the former fit into a bore or housing, external retaining rings fit over a pin or shaft. The retaining ring style is either circlip, wire formed snap rings, grooveless, radially assembled or self-locking, spiral, beveled, bowed, or interlocking.

There are various kinds of retaining rings in use today. Of them, the most common is the axial installation style, distinctive for its ears with holes for the assembly tool is the circlip. Among the radially assembled retaining rings are the E-style rings, which are also called snap rings since they function in a snap-on style. However, wire-formed rings, which are made of a uniform cross section, don’t usually have ears. Grooveless retaining rings, as the name suggests, do not need a groove but often have prongs that can tightly grip shaft or housing bore. Such rings are said to be self-locking by nature. Another type of retaining ring is the spiral retaining variety. These are coiled and flat rings without a gap or with prominent ears. In addition, interlocking retaining rings have two similar meshed halves and are external by nature. Installed radially, they serve as design units for retaining rings.

When looking for retaining rings and snap rings, check shaft diameter, housing diameter, self-locking capabilities, and thickness. Of these, the shaft diameter is usually set down for external rings, while the housing diameter is laid down for internal rings. Another important factor is the maximum thrust load (or the ring shear) that the retaining rings can provide. Also check if the components of retaining rings and snap rings are beryllium copper, spring steel or stainless steel. Of these, beryllium copper helps conduct electricity; spring steel is the most widely used; and stainless steel is made of steel alloys, bronze and plastics. Usually, retaining rings are finished or coated with oil dip, zinc dichromate lacquer, phosphate coating, black oxide, zinc plating and cadmium plating.