How to choose the right circlip, snap ring or spiral ring for your application

(See Rotor Clip at Machine Building South, 8 July 2026, on stand 68)

From automotive transmissions to medical devices, retaining rings are used wherever compact shaft or housing retention is needed. Selecting the correct ring type, size, material, and installation method supports long term assembly performance and retention. Evaluating these factors early in the design process helps support proper ring selection and overall assembly function. Rotor Clip engineers can help guide the selection process and identify the right retaining ring solution for your application.

Why use retaining rings over traditional fasteners

Cost Savings: Retaining rings often replace multiple fastening components within an assembly, eliminating the need for threaded machining and additional hardware such as bolts, nuts, or retaining plates. This reduces manufacturing complexity, material usage, and overall assembly cost.

Compact Assembly: Retaining rings support compact assembly designs by fitting directly into a machined groove rather than extending beyond the component stack. This reduces axial space requirements and allows for more efficient design layouts.

Easy Installation: Retaining rings are designed for quick installation using manual or automated tools. Their standardized geometry supports consistent assembly across high volume production environments, with minimal training required for proper installation.

Learn more about automated assembly

Step One - Determine the Type of Ring to Use

Rotor Clip is the only manufacturer of every retaining ring style and are available in axial and radial tapered section retaining rings (circlips), constant section retaining rings (snap rings), and spiral retaining rings. These designs are installed either axially or radially depending on the assembly requirements.

Offering every retaining ring style means engineers have more design options available and are not limited to a single retaining ring solution when selecting the best fit for an application.

Step Two - Decide Between Axial and Radial Installation

Axial and radial installation methods determine how the retaining ring is introduced into the assembly and should be selected based on access and load requirements.

• Axial installation: used where access along the shaft or bore axis is available and higher thrust load capability is required.
• Radial installation: used where axial access is restricted or blocked by adjacent components and where lower thrust load requirements are acceptable.

As a design tip, if your application allows either method, evaluate thrust load requirements, shoulder size, rotational speed, and available installation access before selecting a design.

Step Three - Choose the Correct Ring Size

Retaining ring size is defined by the shaft or housing diameter where the ring will be installed. Rotor Clip manufactures retaining rings to multiple international standards, including ANSI Inch, DIN, ANSI Metric, and JIS specifications, to support global design requirements.

Axial Tapered Section Retaining Rings (Circlips)

• Standard: 0.040 in to 15 in (1 mm to 1000 mm)
• Custom: 0.040 in to upwards of 47 in (1 mm to upwards of 1200 mm)

Radial Tapered Section Retaining Rings (Circlips)

• Standard: 0.040 in to 3.375 in (1 mm to 86 mm)
• Custom: Contact Rotor Clip for larger applications

Constant Section Retaining Rings (Snap Rings)

• Standard: 0.157 in to 10 in (4 mm to 150 mm)
• Custom: 0.157 in to 44 in (4 mm to 1200 mm)

Spiral Retaining Rings

• Standard: 0.250 in to 10 in (6 mm to 400 mm)
• Custom: 0.157 in to upwards of 36 in (4 mm to upwards of 900 mm)

Proper ring size selection ensures correct fit within the groove and supports stable load transfer during operation. When standard sizes do not meet application requirements, Rotor Clip provides engineered custom solutions to support specialized designs and larger diameter assemblies.

Step Four - Select the Material and Finish

Operating environment plays a key role in retaining ring performance. With one of the largest retained raw material inventories in the industry, Rotor Clip offers a wide range of retaining ring materials and finishes designed to support corrosion resistance, temperature performance, and application specific requirements. Selection may vary by ring style.

Below is a selection of commonly used materials and finishes. Additional grades and coatings are available for specialized applications.

See more retaining ring material and finish options

Carbon Spring Steel (SAE 10601090, DIN C75S / 1.1248 / ST) - High carbon steel alloy used in spring manufacturing, providing good tensile strength, hardness, and fatigue resistance. Commonly used in high stress applications requiring durability and resilience.

15-7 Stainless Steel (SS) - Precipitation hardening stainless steel with good strength, fatigue resistance, and corrosion resistance. Frequently used in aerospace and industrial applications.

Beryllium Copper (BC) - Copper alloy offering high strength, excellent electrical conductivity, and resistance to wear and corrosion. Used in electrical and high performance applications. This alloy is non-magnetic.

Inconel X-750 (IC) - Nickel chromium-based superalloy designed for high temperature environments requiring resistance to oxidation, corrosion, and mechanical stress.

Phosphate and Oil (PD) - Standard corrosion resistant finish for carbon steel components, providing baseline protection and handling durability.

Oil Dip (OIL) - Basic protective coating used for shelf life protection on carbon steel parts.

Trivalent Chrome over Zinc (Z3X) - Zinc based coating offering strong corrosion resistance in moderate to harsh environments. RoHS compliant.

Step Five - Choose the Right Retaining Ring Installation Tools

Retaining rings can be installed using a variety of manual and automatic tools. Using the correct tool is essential, not just for worker safety, but to avoid damaging components during installation or removal.

• Axial retaining rings (circlips and snap rings with lug holes) are installed and removed with retaining ring pliers. The plier tips insert into the lug holes, compressing an internal ring for bore installation or expanding an external ring for shaft installation.
• Radial retaining rings (e-clips, c-clips) use applicators and dispensers that snap the ring into the groove from the side. Because radial rings have no lug holes, specialized tools and tailored packaging are particularly valuable for simplifying high-volume assembly.
• Spiral retaining rings require no special tools for hand installation and include a removal notch or scallop accessible with a standard flat-head screwdriver.

Involving Rotor Clip early in the process helps engineers avoid getting too far down the production line and then realizing specialized installation requirements are needed.

Explore retaining ring installation tools

Importantly, avoid using makeshift tools or manual force during installation. Improper installation can damage the retaining ring, groove, or retained components. For high volume production, automated assembly equipment supports repeatable installation speed and assembly.

Step Six - Select the Right Packaging

The final consideration before ordering is selecting the packaging format that best supports your assembly process. Rotor Clip offers several standard ring packaging methods:

• Bulk Packaging
• Shrink Wrapped Packaging
• Tape Stacked Packaging
• Rod Stacked Packaging
• Rings on Wire Packaging

Selecting the correct packaging format helps improve assembly flow and reduces interruptions during installation, particularly in high volume manufacturing environments.

Learn more on packaging options

If you're not sure which ring is right for your application, Rotor Clip's engineers will guide you to the right solution for your application.