Product and application brief
Spiral retaining rings are coiled flat-wire components that locate in a shaft or housing groove. Unlike a stamped lugged circlip, a spiral profile has no projecting plier ears. Internal and external forms, single-turn and multiple-turn constructions, and different section sizes are separate choices. The illustrated two-turn ring is a general appearance reference, not a drawing for all variants.
Product forms and reference names
| Product form / field | Reference and distinguishing details |
|---|---|
| Single-turn catalogue examples | Smalley identifies VH/VS as inch and VHM/VSM as metric single-turn Spirolox series. VH/VHM are internal examples; VS/VSM are external examples. |
| Two-turn catalogue examples | Smalley's WH internal and WS external inch series are two-turn examples. WHT/WST and WHM/WSM are separately named section families; their maker duty labels are not universal load ratings. |
| DIN-groove reference series | Smalley lists DNH/DNS as two-turn metric groove-interchange references. A groove reference does not make a spiral ring a stamped DIN circlip or establish company conformity. |
| ASME reference identity | ASME lists B27.6 — General Purpose Uniform Cross Section Spiral Retaining Rings, 1972 (S2022). Its public description addresses two series for shafts and housings with listed groove dimensions; full normative tables are not reproduced. |
Internal and external are different parts
Shaft rings locate by their inner side, while housing rings locate by their outer side. Specify shaft or bore use explicitly, along with the selected series and end configuration. Do not treat two rings as interchangeable merely because their nominal diameter is equal.
Turn count is an identification field
Rotor Clip distinguishes spiral rings coiled from flat wire from tapered-section and constant-section ring constructions. Its explanation describes multiple coiled turns, while Smalley's catalogue also identifies single-turn spiral forms. Record the actual turn count and section drawing rather than assuming every spiral ring has two turns. These are product-family distinctions, not installation instructions.
Keep ring section and groove requirements together
For ordering, a diameter alone leaves important geometry unresolved. Include radial section width, strip thickness, assembled axial envelope and the mating groove drawing. State whether a catalogue dimension is free-state or installed-state. Any proposed cross-reference should be reviewed against the required complete ring and groove specification; a translated trade name is not enough.
Material and presentation follow the selected drawing
Specify the required alloy/grade, finish and inspection documentation. Identify any end notch, edge treatment or packing presentation that the drawing requires. Custom sections or ends should remain drawing-defined rather than being presented as an invented standard model. This page does not set load, rotation, reuse, temperature or installation limits.
Specification fields
| Product form / field | Reference and distinguishing details |
|---|---|
| Product identity | Internal/bore or external/shaft; single/multiple turns; complete maker series and part code, exact standard edition if specified, or approved drawing. |
| Diameters and units | Shaft or housing nominal diameter and units; separate free-ring dimensions, groove diameter and installed envelope. |
| Section and ends | Strip thickness, radial width, turn count, total axial envelope and specified end/removal feature; refer to the approved toleranced drawing. |
| Mating groove | Groove width/diameter, required corner/chamfer details and surrounding clearance from the selected design; do not infer universal values. |
| Material / finish | Exact material and treatment/coating requirements, acceptance documents and any drawing-defined edge requirements. |
| Order information | Quantity in pieces, drawing revision, specified packing and application constraints. Mark missing dimensions or documentation to be confirmed. |
Common product questions
Is a spiral retaining ring the same as a split spring washer?
No. A spiral retaining ring is a groove-retaining component made from coiled flat wire. A split spring washer is a different fastener family; its shape is not a substitute for the selected retaining-ring specification.
Are all spiral retaining rings two-turn designs?
No. Catalogue examples include single-turn and multiple-turn forms. State the exact series, internal/external use and turn count rather than specifying only a nominal diameter.
Does DIN-groove interchange mean full standard equivalence?
No. A maker's groove-interchange reference identifies a particular comparison, not blanket equivalence of all ring geometry, material or performance. Confirm the selected part and application requirements separately.
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.