KEY

– is a machine element used to connect a rotating machine element to a shaft. Through this
connection the key prevents relative rotation between the two parts and allows torque to be
transmitted through. For a key to function the shaft and rotating machine element must have a
keyway (or keyseat), which is a slot or pocket for the key to fit in. The whole system is called a keyed
joint. A keyed joint still allows relative axial movement between the parts. Commonly keyed
components include gears, pulleys, and couplings.

Definition of Terms
key – is a rigid connector between a shaft and the hub of another component such as pulley, cam, or
gear. It is a demountable machinery part which, when assembled into keyseats, provides a positive
means for transmitting torque between the shaft and hub. The most common function of a key is to
prevent relative rotation of a shaft and the member to which it is connected, such as the hub of a gear,
pulley or crank. Its purpose is to prevent relative rotation between the two parts. The key fits into
mating grooves in the shaft and mating member called the keyway and transmits torque by shear
across the key.
keyseat – is an axially located rectangular groove in a shaft or hub. A keyseat must be provided in the
shaft and a keyway in the hub of the other part.
keyway – is a groove in the shaft and the mating member to which the key fits.
seat screw – is frequently used to seat the key firmly in the keyway and to prevent axial motion of
the parts.
Selection of types of key in any installation depends on several factors, such as power requirements,
tightness of fit, stability of connection and cost. Keys may be classified into constant cross section or
variable cross section.
The width of the square and flat keys is approximately one-fourth the shaft diameter.

Types of keys with Constant cross-section

1. Square key – is the most commonly used in general industrial machinery. The key is sunk
half in the shaft and half in the hub.
2. Flat key – is a key used where the weakening of the shaft by the keyway is serious and
where added stability of the connection is desired, as in machine tools.
3. Round key – is a key used for fastening cranks, hand wheels, and other parts that do not
transmit heavy torques. Some manufacturers employed this type of key for heavy-duty
shafts over 6 inches because the absence of the sharp corners reduces the stress
concentration below that which would exist had a square key and flat key been used.
Keyway for this key may be drilled and reamed after assembly of the mating parts.
4. Barth key – is a square in which the two bottom corners are beveled to ensure that the
key will fit tightly against the top of the keyway when the drive is in either direction, and
lessen the tendency to twist. It does not require a tight fit, and the small clearance permits
easy assembly and removal.

Types of keys with Variable cross-section

1. Kennedy key, also called as tangential key – is tapered square key that is assembled with
the diagonal dimension virtually in a circumferential direction. This key is used for heavy
duty application.
2. Gib-head key – is tapered square or flat key with head.
3. Pin key – is usually a drive fit key, either straight or tapered (taper of 1/4 to 3/16 inch
per ft); longitudinally assembled on the shaft, can be size about 1/4 of the shaft diameter
and can transmit heavy power.
4. Woodruff key – is a key widely used in the automotive and machine tool industries. It fits
into a semi - cylindrical seat in the shaft.
 5. Feather key – is a key that allows the hub to move along the shaft but prevents rotation
on the shaft. It is used to permit moving element, say gear, into or out of engagement with
its mate, to engage or disengage, say, a jaw clutch.
6. Saddle key – is used for light power, it is tapered and either hollow, with a radius of
curvature slightly smaller than the shaft radius, or flat that is assembled flat on the shaft.
7. Spline fitting – is composed of a spindle shaft formed by milling and mating hub with
internal splines formed by broaching. Splines are actually number of keys integral with the
shaft. These splines have the advantages of greater strength and a self-centering feature.

Note:
1. Basic shear stress to be used (for ductile material)
SS' = Sys Sys = 0.6 Sy (MDE by Faires) Sys = 0.5 Sy (MSST) Sys = 0.577 Sy (OSST)
2. In solving for L based on compression and shearing, use the larger value.
3. Hub length If not given, usual range 1.25 (d) up to 2.4 (d)
4. If the computed key length is greater than 2 d, use two keys 180ᵒ apart or Kennedy keys
(Tangent keys).
5. If the load condition is other than smooth loading, the key should fit tightly, either by use
of tapered keys or by clamping the hub into the shaft and key.
6. If the key and shaft are of the same material, the length of key required to transmit the
full power capacity of the shaft is determined by equating the shear stress of the key to the
torsional stress of the shaft,
16 T 2T d
= 0.75 and let b = . Then L = 1.178 d or approximately L = 1.2 d.
π d3 dbL 4

The value 0.75 is the estimated weakening effect of the keyway on the torsional strength of
the shaft.
7. The key materials are usually cold-finished, low-carbon steel (0.2 % C or less) or heat-
treated steels.
where:
d = shaft diameter
b = width of the key (w)
t = thickness of the key (h)
L = length of the hub = length of the key
L = 1.5 (d) -------- if not given

The shearing stress (SS) should always be based on the strength of the weakest member.
Basic shear stress = Yield stress based on shear = 0.5 (Yield stress)

𝐒𝐬 ′ = 𝐒𝐲𝐬 = 0.5 (𝐒𝐲)

Design / Allowable / Permissible shear stress

𝐒𝐬 ′ 𝐒𝐲𝐬 𝟎.𝟓 (𝐒𝐲 )
𝐒𝐬 = = =
𝐅.𝐒. 𝐅.𝐒. 𝐅.𝐒.
The compressive stress (Sc) should always be based on the strength of the weakest member.
Basic compressive stress = Yield stress
𝐒𝐜 ′ = 𝐒 𝐲

Design / Allowable / Permissible compressive stress

𝐒𝐜 ′ 𝐒𝐲
𝐒𝐜 = =
𝐅.𝐒. 𝐅.𝐒.
• based on compression between the key/hub or key/shaft
𝐅𝐜
𝐒𝐜 =
𝐀𝐜

where:
Torque capacity for one key

T = Fc x r
d
T = Fc x 2
2T
Fc =
d

and, the area compressed

t
Ac = ( )(L)
2

so,
2T
d
Sc = t
(2)(L)

𝟒𝐓
𝐒𝐜 =
𝐝𝐭𝐋

• based on shearing of the key

𝐅𝐬
𝐒𝐬 =
𝐀𝐬

where:
Torque capacity for one key

T = Fs x r
d
T = Fs x 2
2T
Fs =
d

and, the area sheared

As = b L
so,
2T
d
Ss =
b L
𝟐𝐓
𝐒𝐬 =
𝐝𝐛𝐋

For Good (Safe) Design: sizing of plain and round end keys are:
1. key width (b) should be 1/4 of shaft diameter (d): b = d/4
2. keyway depth (t) should be 1/6 of the shaft diameter (d): t = d/6
3. minimum key length (L) should be 1 1/2 shaft diameters (d): L = 1.5 (d)
4. the depth of a square key (t) in the shaft or hub should be 1/2 the width of the key (b):
t = b/2