E-Clips
What Are E-Clips?
E-clips are radially installed and have a wider shoulder than other types of external rings,
snap rings, or
crescent rings, providing a larger retaining area and yielding higher thrust load capacity. These popular retaining rings are used in a wide variety of applications ranging from automotive to medical.
Huyett offers these clips in materials like beryllium copper, spring carbon steel, and stainless steel in a variety of finishes.
Application Considerations
E-clips are often used to hold gears in position on a shaft, to hold shafts onto bearings, and other similar applications. There are several things to consider before using them in your application.
Shaft Diameter: It's important to ensure the shaft fits snug up against the internal diameter of the clip so it does not slip out of place or bend out of shape.
Application Load: Evaluate the weight of the load that will be applied to the clip and ensure it does not exceed the clip's thrust load capacity.
Space Constraints: Check your application setting to make sure the clip will have enough room for placement with its wide shoulders and for radial installation.
Environmental Factors: If your circlip will operate in harsh environmental or chemical conditions, you may want to consider materials or finishes that protect against corrosion.
Benefits
E-clips provide several key benefits as a simple, economical fastener for shaft applications. They are:
- Cost Efficiency: Huyett offers these clips at a competitive price that makes these reusable fasteners an economical choice.
- Vibration Resistance: E-clips are known to provide exceptional shock and vibration resistance, making them well suited for applications that may experience sudden movement.
- Coverage for Light Duty Applications: These clips wrap around the shaft 320° and are designed to support loads with low thrust loads.
Product Line
Huyett offers high-quality e-clips from our
Rotor Clip® product line. You can also shop for a wide selection of
housing rings,
snap rings,
spiral rings, and more.
Difference Between a C-Clip and an E-Clip
In terms of appearance, e-clips exhibit a distinct third inner tab that sets them apart from c-clips (or crescent rings). This element, combined with the extended tabs, makes e-clips particularly well-suited for accommodating deeper grooves and delivering enhanced thrust load capacities compared to c-clips. In contrast, c-clips offer effective clearance capabilities due to their slender section height.
While still an overall economical choice, e-clips are slightly more of an investment than c-clips. However, they provide resistance to vibration and typically offer higher thrust load capacities than crescent rings.
How to Install and Remove an E-Clip
The most effective way to install an e-clip is to use a
retaining ring applicator. However, hand tools will work if an applicator is not available. If you are using the applicator, place the clip into the opening with the open clip end facing outwards. Then, position the clip in the groove shaft and press into place.
To remove the clip, simply grasp the clip with a pair of needle-nose pliers and pull it out of the groove.
