Spline Shafts Information

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Selecting spline shafts infoSpline shafts are mechanical components that provide
anti-rotation when functioning as a linear guide or otherwise transmit torque. The
splines, grooves, or tongues are machined along the length of the shaft. They mate
with a female-splined bore, gear, bearing, or other mating component. They transfer
rotary motion in rotary drive applications or function as a linear guide when
paired with an internally-splined bearing or bushing.

Specifications

Specifications for splined shafts include the type of teeth or grooves, materials
of construction, diameter, length, and features.

Types

Spline shafts differ by the types of grooves or tongues that transmit torque.

Parallel key splines have ridges with a square profile.

Involute splines contain tapered ridges that decrease stress concentration.
Crowned splines have modified teeth that taper towards the end face to allow for
angular misalignment.
Serrations have a tooth form that is non-involute. Teeth are in the form of an
included angle that allows for more teeth on a smaller diameter shaft.
Helical splines have either parallel or involute teeth. The ridges form a helix
pattern about the shaft. They allow for rotary and linear motion and also minimize
stress concentrations for a stationary joint under high load.

Materials

Splined shafts are generally manufactured from metallic elements due to localized
stresses observed between the teeth or tongues of the shaft. The following
materials are the most common.

Alloy steels are ferrous alloys based on iron, carbon, and alloying elements such
as chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, and nickel. Alloy steels include hardenable
high-alloy steels, high-strength low-alloy steels, maraging steels, and other
specialty steel alloys.

Aluminum alloys provide high toughness at moderate strength levels, with good
corrosion resistance and less-than-half the density of steel.
Carbon steel is a commercial iron that contains carbon in any amount up to about
1.7 percent as an essential alloying constituent. It is malleable under suitable
conditions and distinguished from cast iron by its malleability and lower carbon
content.

Stainless steels are highly corrosion resistant, ferrous alloys that contain
chromium and/or nickel additions.

Shaft diameter

The diameter is a nominal measurement across the shaft and is manufactured to close
tolerances as it mates with a matching component. The shaft diameter is never
reduced more than is necessary to permit easy slip-fitting of components.

Length

Most shafts are manufactured to standard lengths and can be cut to a specific
length to match customer needs. Shafts should be ordered at a length that exceeds
the length of its intended use.

Features

Chamfered: To prevent stress concentrations the ends of the splines are cut at an
angle or beveled.
Shaft/hub assembly: Internal and external splines are packaged together and offered
as an assembly.
Standards

ISO 14 -- Straight-side splines fir cylindrical shafts with internal centering

ANSI B92.1 -- Sizes, performance, and inspection of involute splines

DIN 5480-1 -- Reference diameters for involute splines and spline joints