Shaft retaining rings, also known as shaft elastic retaining rings or snap rings, are elastic fasteners installed on grooved shafts, achieving axial positioning through the interplay of elasticity and grooves.
Their inner diameter is slightly smaller than the shaft diameter. During installation, snap ring pliers are used to expand them before inserting them into the shaft groove. They are suitable for shaft components in hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, and various mechanical equipment. Shaft retaining rings are mainly divided into Type A (shaft diameter 3~200mm) and Type B (shaft diameter 20~200mm), conforming to GB 894.1-86 and GB 894.2-86 standards respectively. DIN471 standard retaining rings use a Type C structure, suitable for different mechanical applications. These retaining rings can only withstand very small axial loads and are mostly made of spring steel with a phosphated or blackened surface treatment.
