Table of Contents
Introduction of Retaining Ring
A retaining ring is a fastener that holds a component mounted on a shaft. After installation, the exposed portion acts as a shoulder to hold certain components. Snap-on round retaining ring can be installed in non-groove applications.
Circlip is a type of retaining ring. I also recommend to read my article on circlip.
See the below image of retaining ring.
Retaining rings are typically manufactured from carbon steel, stainless steel, or beryllium copper and can be given a variety of finishes for aesthetics and corrosion protection depending on the type of environment in which they will be used.
Types of Retaining Ring
Basically 4 types or retaining rings are used in industrial applications.
- Tapered Section Retaining Rings
- Constant Section Retaining Rings
- Spiral Retaining Rings
- Circular Retaining Rings
We will learn about above mentioned types of rings in detail.
1. Tapered Section Retaining Rings
These types of retaining rings have conical cross-section. This tapered section decrease symmetrically from the center to the free end and remain circular when contracted or expanded within normal limits of use. This ensures contact with the grooves along the entire circumference of the ring. These rings can be mounted axially or radially.
2. Constant Section Retaining Rings
A constant cross-section retaining ring has a uniform and constant cross-section thought the length of the ring. In other words, the material used to make the ring is the same width at all points along the ring’s circumference.When it is contracted or stretched, it deforms into an elliptical shape. As a result, they touch the groove at three or more isolated points, but not continuously around the perimeter. These rings are made from flat or round wire.
3. Spiral Retaining Rings
Spiral retaining rings are axially installed making 360° contact with the groove. Spiral retaining rings have no ears or lugs to interfere with the assembly. These rings are manufactured by coiling flat wire into the shape of the finished retaining ring. Spiral rings are provided with a removal notch to simplify the removal process. Spiral retaining rings can be economically produced in special alloys like stainless steel because the manufacturing process eliminates scrap.
4. Circular Retaining Rings
This type of ring resembles a toothed washer and is usually made of metal. They are installed by pressing them onto the end of the splined shaft until the internal splines of the nut engage the keyway. Using a push nut eliminates the expense of screwing a nut onto the end of the shaft during the manufacturing process.
Summing Up
In this article I have described about retaining rings and types of retaining rings. I hope you got some idea about retaining rings.
Thanks for reading my blog.
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