retaining rings for shafts

retaining rings for shafts

Our Shaft Retaining Rings, commonly known as external circlips or snap rings, are precision-engineered fasteners designed to provide a secure, removable shoulder for the axial positioning of components on shafts. Conforming to standards like GB 894 (and similar to DIN 471), these rings are an economical and space-saving alternative to traditional fastening methods such as threaded nuts, cotter pins, or machining shoulders directly into a shaft. They are installed into a pre-machined groove, where their inherent spring tension holds them firmly in place, effectively preventing the lateral movement of parts like bearings, gears, and pulleys. Crafted from high-quality spring steel, they offer a reliable and efficient solution for countless applications in machinery, automotive systems, and general industrial equipment.

Product Details

The functionality of a shaft retaining ring lies in its unique open-loop design and material properties. Our standard rings are manufactured from high-grade 65Mn carbon spring steel, which is heat-treated to achieve exceptional hardness and elasticity. This allows the ring to be expanded for installation without permanent deformation, ensuring it snaps back securely into the groove and exerts a continuous radial force. The two lugs, featuring holes for circlip pliers, facilitate easy and damage-free installation and removal. For standard applications, the rings are finished with a black oxide coating, which provides moderate corrosion resistance and a degree of lubricity. For applications in corrosive or sanitary environments, we also offer these circlips in high-quality 304 stainless steel.

Product Parameters

The following tables detail the technical and dimensional specifications for our Shaft Retaining Rings.

General Specifications:

ParameterDescription
Product NameRetaining Rings for Shafts (External Circlips / Snap Rings)
StandardGB 894 (Normal Type)
Material65Mn Carbon Steel, 304 Stainless Steel
GradeA2-70, A4-70, A4-80, etc.
FinishBlack Oxide Coating, Plain
Size Rangeφ3mm to φ300mm
ApplicationHeavy Industry, General Industry, Machinery, Automotive
CertificatesISO9001, ISO14001, ISO45001, SGS

Dimensional Specifications (in mm):
The table below shows a representative sample of available sizes. A full range from φ3mm to φ300mm is available. Please contact us for a complete specification sheet.

Nominal Diameter (d)Groove Inner Diameter (d3)Thickness (s)Lug Width (a)Groove Width (n)
φ87.22 – 7.460.83.21.5
φ1210.64 – 11.11.03.31.8
φ2018.08 – 18.631.24.02.6
φ2522.78 – 23.411.24.43.0
φ4035.6 – 36.891.756.04.4
φ5044.9 – 46.192.06.95.1
φ7569.4 – 70.962.58.47.0
φ10093.2 – 95.043.09.69.0

Product Features

Our Shaft Retaining Rings are designed for optimal performance and ease of use, providing several key advantages:

  • Precise Axial Retention: Creates a clean, sharp shoulder for accurately locating and securing components against axial loads, ensuring parts remain in their designated position.
  • High-Quality Spring Steel: Made from 65Mn carbon steel or stainless steel, our rings are heat-treated for high tensile strength and elasticity, allowing for repeated installation and removal without loss of clamping force.
  • Space-Saving and Economical: The slim profile of a circlip requires only a small groove, saving material on the shaft and providing a much more compact and cost-effective solution than bulky nuts or expensive machining.
  • Simple Installation and Removal: The integrated lugs are designed for use with standard circlip pliers, allowing for quick, easy, and non-destructive installation and servicing.
  • Extensive Size Range: We offer a comprehensive range of sizes, from a miniature φ3mm for precision instruments to a robust φ300mm for heavy industrial machinery, ensuring a perfect fit for nearly any shaft.

Product Applications

Shaft Retaining Rings are fundamental components in a vast array of mechanical and industrial assemblies. They are essential for locating and retaining bearings on shafts, securing gears, sprockets, and pulleys to prevent them from sliding, and positioning pistons and gudgeon pins in engines and compressors. In power transmission systems, they act as stops and spacers for various moving components. Their versatility also makes them ideal for use in automotive systems, agricultural machinery, precision instruments, and general industrial equipment where reliable axial fastening is required.