Secondary processes

HUYETT.COM • 785-392-3017
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE BOX 232 • MINNEAPOLIS, KS • 67467 Depending on your application, a secondary
processes may be necessary.
Understanding the standards and tolerances (permitted variance) of key stock can be complicated. Key stock is called out by nominal or named size. Among squares and flats, tolerances
are referred to as “oversize” (over nominal) or “undersize” (under nominal).

Heat treating
Undersize Mo ltrup Oversize Specialty Step Key Round Hex
Heat treating is used to increase strength by
Grades Stock raising the temperature of the steel and then
cooling it in a controlled manner to change the
Actual size is nominal to Actual size is very Actual size is nominal to Actual size can be T-form, offered in both Round form, with Hex form, with grain structure of the steel.
Description less than nominal. slightly over nominal. greater than nominal. above or below oversize and undersize undersize tolerances. undersize tolerances.
nominal. tolerances.

Bar Stock; Redi-Key; Moltrup Steel; True Key Bar Stock; Redi-Key; Bar Stock; Mak-A-Key Offset Key Stock; Repair Round Linear Shaft; Hex Bar Stock; Hexagon
Key Bar Stock; Machine Stock; Bright Steel; Close Key Bar Stock; Machine Key Stock Round Bar; Round Shaft; Hex Shaft Stock;
Common Names Key Bar Stock; Broad Key Stock Key Bar Stock; Mak-A- Stock; Rod; Round Axle; Hex Stock; Hex Rod;
Key Stock; Negative Key Key™; Close Key Stock; Mak-A-Pin Hex Axle
Stock Plus Key Stock

ANSI B17.1, Class 1 fit; ANSI B17.1, Class 2 fit None known, though Depends on material Sizing aligns to ANSI Depends on material ASTM A108
Metric DIN 6880 for popularized as grade. ASTM 829; B17.1 Class 1 fit, bar grade. ASTM A108;
Appl icable key stock; DIN 6885 for Mak‑A‑Key. ASTM 484; ASTM 582; stock. ASTM A681; ASTM
Standards machine keys ASTM B16; ASTM A276 A686 Tumbling
Parts are tumbled to remove burrs prior to
shipment or plating. Using friction, the tumbling
media is engineered to polish the parts in a
Typically cold drawn. Typically cold drawn. Cold drawn steel. Cold drawn material. Cold drawn steel. Cold drawn steel. Cold drawn steel.
controlled manner.
DIN may be polished to May be polished to Some nonferrous may Milled for step and to Sometimes turned and
Fabrication make bright. make bright. be extruded. size; usually plated and polished.
marked with size.

1018; 1045; 1060; 4140; 1045; 8630; 4140 1018; 1045; SS303; SS304 1095; 6061; CDA 360; 1018; 1045; SS304; 1018; 1045; O-1; W-1; 1018; 1045; 8630; 4140
Common SS303; SS314; SS316; DIN some grades of stainless SS316 1095; SS303; SS304;
Grades 6880; A2; A4; DIN 178; steel. 6061; CDA 360
(AISI and DIN DIN 179
References)

Used in field Most popular in Based on Mak-A-Key Typically used in field Used in repair of Versatile material Machinery, gears, Plating
applications for repair, original equipment specifications, which applications for repair. damaged key ways in used as shafting, machine parts, The primary purpose of plating is to protect
with no filing normally manufacturing due to require filing in the field shafts, sprockets, and straight pins, rails, or structural components, steel from oxidation and corrosion. Zinc
Common Uses needed. precision finish and tight for repair applications. pulleys. for locating in a wide automobile parts, axles, electroplating is one of the most common types of
fit in key way. range of applications and drive shafts. electroplating.
and industries.

Some commercial This is true Used when a custom fit Does not match ANSI Step key stock is often Round key stock is not The primary benefit of
tolerances deviate +.0010" Class 2 ANSI is required or desired for spec, and is a frequent erroneously called drill rod. Drill rod is hex key stock is that G.L. Huyett’s Engineering Handbook gives an
from the ANSI spec. spec key stock with tight an oversize key way, for source of confusion. “offset key stock,” precision ground to size there is no key needed in-depth explanation of heat treating and other
Plated parts are marked tolerances. Material is field repairs, or in worn Most desirable grade which generally refers and surface finished. and no key way to cut finishing processes.
with the size. Plating difficult to draw and is key ways. in maintenance repair to “Z” shaped rectangle which saves machining
Comments normally adds .0005" to not always easy to find operations, and has key stock machined time.
the height and width. in the U.S. wide acceptance, but with inverse steps on
Relatively free fitting limited commercial opposing faces.
bar stock keys. Only availability.
applies to parallel keys.
 Special Order
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Machine keys can be designed with special
Machine keys are used to transmit torque from a rotating shaft to a gear or sprocket. They can be finished in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials for just about any application. dimensional features like set screws, tapers, and
Standard sizes are ready to use with little or no cutting or filing. other attributes. Mechanical features like tensile
strength, shear strength, and wear resistance can
be enhanced by material and secondary processes
(like heat treating) that give parts added benefits.

Machine Key - Machine Key - Gib Head Woodruff Hi-pro Form C Form D

Form B Form A

Common Machine Keys; Sunk Keys; Key Feather Key; Pratt & Gib Head Key; Cotton Picker Half-moon Key; Round Key High Profile Keys
Names Stock Whitney Key Key

ANSI B17.1; ANSI B17.1; DIN 6884/6887; ANSI B17.1; ANSI B17.1;
Appl icable DIN 6885 DIN 6885 Industry norm DIN 6888 Industry norm Form E Form F

Standards

Cold drawn steel; cut to length; Cold drawn steel; cut to Cold drawn steel; cut to Cold drawn profile; cut to Cold drawn profile; cut to
tumbled to remove burrs. length; both ends radiused. length; machined tapered width; grind; tumble. width; grind; tumble.
Fabrication surface; tumble to deburr.
Form G Form H

Imperial is measured height Imperial is measured height Imperial is measured width Imperial is measured Width × length × lip height.
× width × length. Metric is × width × length. Metric is × length. Metric is measured diameter × width. Metric is Hi-pro keys have small
Ho w to measured width × height × measured width × height × width × effective height × measured width × height. “feet” to keep them from
Identify length. length. length. Commercial keys do Woodruff keys may have rocking in the key way.
not usually meet the ANSI round or flat bottoms
specification. depending on specifications. Form J Form K

Original equipment, including
motors, gear boxes, gear
reducers, and transmissions.
Common
Uses
Original equipment,
including motors, gear
boxes, gear reducers, and
transmissions.
Original equipment, Original equipment, where Original equipment, where
including motors, gear an arbor cutter is used to cut an arbor cutter is used to cut
boxes, gear reducers, a key way that is half-moon a key way that is half-moon
and transmissions. Farm shaped. shaped.
equipment, especially cotton
pickers, harvesters, and
combines.

Square ends are more common Radiused ends are more Used to progressively install
in U.S. common in Europe. the key and take up slack
from one access end. The
head serves as a concussion
Comments point for hammering
without damage to the shaft
of the key. Common taper is
1/8" taper per foot.
Alloy hardened keys usually
have hash marks (small lines)
embedded into the surface
of the key along the top.
Alloy hardened keys usually
have hash marks (small lines)
embedded into the surface FOR BEST RES ULTS , ENL IST
of the key along the top. THE HEL P OF A REL IABL E
DES IGN ENG INEE R WHE N
DES IGNING NEW APP LICATION S