The Basics of Retaining Rings and Grommets

Nuts, bolts, screws and rivets are encountered regularly in home improvement, DIY projects and many basic engine applications. There are several other important fasteners you may wish to become more familiar with. One such group of fasteners is retaining rings, and the other is grommets.

Retaining rings are used either internally or externally to provide a shoulder within an assembly. This shoulder functions to position and retain components. Internal retaining ring fasteners are placed within bores. External retaining rings are located outside of shafts. They generally sit within a groove designed to secure the ring tightly in place.

Retaining rings operate as a cost-effective fastener in cases where a permanent shoulder is not required. They cost less and are simpler to tool than for instance, screw thread insert fasteners. Today hand and power tools, computer equipment, door knobs and aircraft often use retainer rings as fasteners.

Grommets are metal, plastic, or rubber ring fasteners that are inserted into holes to serve as reinforcement or to cover sharp edges. They are encountered in a variety of everyday applications. They may be used to reinforce the hole, to shield something from the sharp edges of the hole, or both. Small grommets called eyelets are used regularly to reinforce lace holes on shoes or clothing. Nonmetallic grommet fasteners may be used to shield electrical wire, cables or cords as they pass through sharp-edged metal holes.

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