Product and application brief
E clips, also called E rings or E-shaped retaining washers, are open shaft-retaining components. Their three inward contact prongs engage a shaft groove; the opening allows radial assembly rather than axial placement over the shaft end. This structure is different from a lugged external circlip and from a coiled spiral ring. Select a clip by its identified series and mating groove, not by appearance alone.
Product forms and reference names
| Product form / field | Reference and distinguishing details |
|---|---|
| Metric DIN reference | DIN Media lists DIN 6799:2026-05 as Retaining washers for shafts, replacing the 2017-06 edition. This verifies the reference identity, not dimensional conformity of a supplied part. |
| Metric maker example: DE | Rotor Clip identifies DE as its external metric E-ring family. Its DE-5 record separates nominal groove size Dg from shaft diameter Ds; a model suffix is not automatically the shaft diameter. |
| Inch maker example: E | Rotor Clip's E-4 record identifies a radial shaft ring and separately reports shaft, groove and free-ring diameters. An inch-series code is not a DIN size designation. |
| Lugged and coiled alternatives | The existing external-shaft circlip and spiral-ring categories remain separate constructions. Do not substitute an E clip solely because a shaft size sounds similar. |
Read the size designation before matching the shaft
A request for a “5 mm E clip” leaves the size convention unclear. Identify whether the value belongs to the shaft, groove or selected catalogue designation, and retain its unit. Provide the actual shaft and groove drawing alongside the complete part reference. Metric and inch references require their own geometry checks; a converted number is not an interchange approval.
Separate the ring from its mating groove
For procurement, distinguish shaft diameter, groove diameter and width, ring thickness, free opening and installed clearance envelope. State the drawing revision and acceptance requirements rather than borrowing isolated values from a different series. This page does not reproduce normative tolerance tables or prescribe installation.
Material, finish and delivery form are separate identifiers
The part specification should state the exact material grade and required finish, not just “steel” or “stainless.” Bossard's DIN 6799-labelled range distinguishes loose spring-steel washers from zinc-plated and magazine-form alternatives. Packaging form does not change the need to identify the ring geometry. These catalogue examples are identification references, not FastenerBridge inventory or supplier-approval evidence.
Specification fields
| Product form / field | Reference and distinguishing details |
|---|---|
| Reference and revision | E-shaped radial shaft clip; exact standard edition, manufacturer series/complete part code or approved drawing. Flag any proposed alternative separately. |
| Size and units | State the designation convention and mm/inch unit; distinguish shaft diameter from nominal groove size and free-ring geometry. |
| Mating geometry | Shaft and groove diameter, groove width, relevant radii/chamfers, edge distance and surrounding clearance from the approved drawing. |
| Ring geometry | Thickness, opening/profile and installed envelope; include tolerances only when established by the selected specification. |
| Material and finish | Exact grade, heat-treatment/hardness requirements if specified, coating and any required inspection documents; no unspecified universal grade. |
| Quantity and presentation | Quantity in pieces, loose or specified assembly-feed presentation, packing requirements and drawing attachments. List unresolved fields as to be confirmed. |
Common product questions
Is an E clip the same as a DIN 471 circlip?
No. An E clip has an open three-prong profile for radial assembly. A lugged external shaft circlip is a different construction. Matching nominal size alone does not establish interchangeability.
Does the number in an E-clip reference always mean shaft diameter?
No. The selected catalogue controls the designation: the metric DE-5 example distinguishes nominal groove size from shaft diameter, while the E-4 inch record lists separate dimensions. Include the complete reference and units.
Can I order from an appearance photograph only?
An image can identify the general E shape, but it cannot establish the mating groove, tolerances, material or finish. Supply a part reference or drawing and quantities; mark any missing specification for confirmation.
Related specification resources
Product references
References checked 6 October 2026 explain product identity. Third-party model names and approvals are not FastenerBridge brand affiliation, stock or certification claims. Final geometry and requirements follow the selected specification.