Machine Keys

Woodruff Keys

Woodruff keys are semi-circular mechanical fasteners that fit into a correspondingly deep, curved keyseat to connect rotating shafts with mating hubs. The geometric design allows the key to self-align and accommodate taper variations, while the deep seating mitigates stress concentrations near shaft shoulders. Due to their limited load-bearing capacity compared to parallel keys, they function as mechanical fail-safes that shear under excessive torque, commonly applied in high-speed machine tools and automotive engines.