Split Cotter Pin are used primarily for precise location and light shear duty between two parts. This page lists the industries and assemblies where they are specified, the selection criteria that matter for each application, installation practice, and the cases where a different fastener type is the correct choice. Parts are supplied to ISO / DIN. Stocked across roughly M1 to M8, they cover general to heavy-duty work.
Typical Applications for Split Cotter Pin — ISO / DIN (Series 102)
The most common settings where these are specified:
- General machine building: fastening covers, brackets, motors and sub-assemblies on production equipment.
- Maintenance & repair (MRO): a stocked size for servicing existing plant where the original fastener spec must be matched.
- Fabrication & metalwork: bench and on-site assembly of steel frames, enclosures and weldments.
- Jigs & fixtures: precise location of tooling plates and locating features.
- Linkages & hinges: pivot points carrying light shear.
How to Specify Split Cotter Pin — ISO / DIN (Series 102) for Your Application
- Size: Match the nominal size to the mating thread or hole. This product spans M1–M8; check the full table below for the exact dimensions of each size.
- Material: Choose the material and finish for the service environment — plated steel for general use, stainless for corrosion resistance.
- Environment: For damp, coastal or chemical exposure prefer A4/316 stainless or a suitable coating; indoors, plated steel or A2 is usually sufficient.
- Standard: This product is supplied to ISO / DIN. Quoting the standard on your order guarantees interchangeable dimensions between suppliers.
Installation & Assembly Practice
- Ream the hole to the specified fit class; a dowel pressed into a drilled-only hole will not locate accurately.
- Press pins in with steady force rather than hammer blows where possible, and chamfer the hole entry.
Common Selection Mistakes with Split Cotter Pin — ISO / DIN (Series 102)
- Using a dowel pin as a load-carrying shear bolt — dowels locate, they are not sized for sustained shear.
- Ignoring the fit class: a locational fit and an interference fit need different hole tolerances.
Where Split Cotter Pin — ISO / DIN (Series 102) Are Not the Right Choice
Not for carrying significant tensile or repeated heavy shear loads — use a bolt or a keyed joint for that.

