LESSON 33

Keys
A key is a device by means of which the relative motion between the two members
connected by the key is prevented. A key is generally used to connect a shaft to a
pulley, gear, disc, flywheel etc. Key gives a temporary joint, which can be easily
disconnected. To make a joint, keyways are cut in the hub and the shaft, through
which the key is inserted.

Types of Keys
The spectrum of various types of keys is given in Fig. 4.6 and
shown in Fig.4.7

Fig. 4.6 Types of keys.

 Fig. 4.7 Spectrum of keys.

A square key with equal keyway depths in the shaft and the hub is most commonly
used for power transmission. A modification of the square key is the rectangular key.
These keys may be either parallel or tapered.
A gib-head key is similar to the square or rectangular key but with a gib head
provided on the larger cross-section side. The gib head helps in easy insertion and
withdrawal of the key into or out of the keyway when the driven member is attached
to the shaft somewhere in the middle of the shaft. The woodruff key is used where
transmitted torques are quite small. This key is very easy to insert and is generally
used in the automobile industry.
A flat key is generally used to transmit very light loads. The key slot is cut only in the
hub and a set screw is used to hold the key in the shaft.
A saddle key is similar to a flat key whose bottom surface is given a radius to match
the shaft radius. It does not require any setscrew. A round key is used for heavy-duty
service because it introduces low stress-concentration.
A barth key is a rectangular key with the two ends beveled off at 45. This makes
assembly and disassembly very easy. Under load the key remains in compression
rather than in shear.
A Kennedy key consists of two keys driven at 90 or 120 apart and fitted diagonally.
It is used for heavy duty power transmission in either direction.
A tangent key is difficult to fit. Tangent keys remain in compression under load and
are used for heavy duty.
Feather keys are used where it is very much essential to slide a keyed gear or pulley
along the shaft.
The key is made either a tight fit in the shaft or the hub and a sliding fit in the other.
When making a tight fit in the shaft, it is screwed, to the shaft and when making a
tight fit in the hub, gib heads are provided on both sides of the key.

Design of Keys
(a) Sunk Keys. When the key is inserted into the keyway, which is partly in the
shaft and partly in the hub, the key is said to be the sunk type. (Fig 4.8).

Fig. 4.8 Ways of failure of a rectangular sunk key.

Let T =torque transmitted by the shaft.
d = shaft diameter.
F =tangential force at shaft radius.
, c= permissible stresses in shear and crushing respectively.
Due to power transmission, shearing and crushing failures of the key may take place.
Let 1=length of the key
b =width of the key
t =thickness of the key
Area in shear =1b

The key may crush either in the shaft or in the hub.

If the key is to be equally strong in shear and crushing, then

Generally c= 2[.Hence b = t, i.e. a square key is the best size.

If the key is to be equally strong in shear as the shaft, then

(b) Taper Keys. The relation involving the circumferential force Ft (Fig. 4.9) and the
pressure F between the shaft and the hub is
Ft=1F
where 1 is the coefficient of friction between the shaft and the hub and is nearly
equal to 0.25.
 Fig. 4.9 Forces acting on a taper key.

Now F= b l p
where p is the pressure or compressive stress in the key.

Also torque,

where 2 is the coefficient of friction between the key and the shaft and may be taken
as 0.10 for a greased key. The taper on the key is generally 1 : 100.

c) Feather Keys. Fig 4.10shows a shaft with a single or double feather keys,
Fig. 4.10 Feather keys.