Side-by-Side Comparison
Washers & Retaining Rings
Lock Washers vs. Retaining Rings & Circlips
Comparing 2 standards across 16 specifications. 16 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Lock Washers
Retaining Rings & Circlips
Lock washers resist bolt loosening under vibration through spring preload and mechanical biting, standardized under DIN 127 (helical split spring washers), DIN 6798 (internal/external serrated tooth star washers), and DIN 2093 (Belleville conical spring discs).
Retaining rings (circlips) provide removable shoulder stops in machined shaft and bore grooves, standardized under DIN 471 (External shaft circlips), DIN 472 (Internal bore circlips), and DIN 6799 (Radial E-clips).
Specification Comparison Table
16 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Governing Standards
|
DIN 127 Form B / DIN 6798 / DIN 2093 / ASME B18.21.1 | DIN 471 (External) / DIN 472 (Internal) / DIN 6799 (E-Clip) |
|
Helical Split Washer Mechanism
|
Spring tension + sharp trapezoidal edges that bite into mating surfaces under counter-rotation | — |
|
M6 DIN 127 Split Lock Washer
|
ID: 6.1 mm | OD: 11.8 mm | Thickness (s): 1.6 mm | Uncompressed Free Height: ~3.2 mm | — |
|
M8 DIN 127 Split Lock Washer
|
ID: 8.1 mm | OD: 14.8 mm | Thickness (s): 2.0 mm | Uncompressed Free Height: ~4.0 mm | — |
|
M10 DIN 127 Split Lock Washer
|
ID: 10.2 mm | OD: 18.1 mm | Thickness (s): 2.2 mm | Uncompressed Free Height: ~4.4 mm | — |
|
M12 DIN 127 Split Lock Washer
|
ID: 12.2 mm | OD: 21.1 mm | Thickness (s): 2.5 mm | Uncompressed Free Height: ~5.0 mm | — |
|
Belleville Disc Spring (DIN 2093)
|
Conical shape maintains thousands of pounds of preload over high thermal expansion cycles | — |
|
Serrated Tooth Star Washer (DIN 6798)
|
Multiple teeth bite through paint/anodizing to ensure electrical bonding and ground continuity | — |
|
DIN 471 10mm External Circlip
|
— | Shaft Dia: 10 mm | Groove Dia: 9.6 mm | Groove Width: 1.1 mm | Ring Thickness: 1.0 mm |
|
DIN 471 15mm External Circlip
|
— | Shaft Dia: 15 mm | Groove Dia: 14.3 mm | Groove Width: 1.1 mm | Ring Thickness: 1.0 mm |
|
DIN 471 20mm External Circlip
|
— | Shaft Dia: 20 mm | Groove Dia: 19.0 mm | Groove Width: 1.3 mm | Ring Thickness: 1.2 mm |
|
DIN 471 25mm External Circlip
|
— | Shaft Dia: 25 mm | Groove Dia: 23.9 mm | Groove Width: 1.3 mm | Ring Thickness: 1.2 mm |
|
DIN 472 20mm Internal Circlip
|
— | Bore Dia: 20 mm | Groove Dia: 21.0 mm | Groove Width: 1.1 mm | Ring Thickness: 1.0 mm |
|
DIN 472 25mm Internal Circlip
|
— | Bore Dia: 25 mm | Groove Dia: 26.2 mm | Groove Width: 1.3 mm | Ring Thickness: 1.2 mm |
|
DIN 6799 E-Clip (Radial Installation)
|
— | Installed radially with push tool without requiring axial shaft access |
|
Standard Material
|
— | Spring Steel (C67S / C75S / 50CrV4) hardened to 44–53 HRC, Stainless AISI 301/304 |