A2 Stainless Steel (ISO 3506 group A2 (304 / 1.4301), commonly supplied A2-70) is the most common stainless group for indoor and general outdoor fasteners. When parallel keys are specified in this grade, the dimensions remain per DIN 6885 / ISO 773; the material determines corrosion behavior (good general corrosion resistance) and the service temperature range (approx. -200 °C to +400 °C, subject to the property class and the joint). Both are covered below with the size table.
Why Choose A2 Stainless Steel for Parallel Keys
The most common stainless group for indoor and general outdoor fasteners. For parallel keys, this matters when good general corrosion resistance is the primary requirement.
Mechanical & Physical Properties
| Grade designation | ISO 3506 group A2 (304 / 1.4301), commonly supplied A2-70 |
|---|---|
| Magnetic response | Largely non-magnetic |
| Service temperature | approx. -200 °C to +400 °C, subject to the property class and the joint |
| Corrosion characteristic | Good general corrosion resistance |
Galvanic & Galling Considerations
For stainless parallel keys the compatibility question is galvanic rather than galling: joined to aluminum or galvanized steel in wet service, stainless drives corrosion of the less-noble metal. Isolate with a coating, sleeve or non-conductive washer where the joint sees moisture. Note also that stainless is softer than hardened carbon steel, so where the part carries a wear or shear duty, check the load against the grade before substituting.
Comparable Grades
For Parallel Keys, the alternative stainless grade is A4 (316). Choose A2 (304) for general use and A4 (316) wherever chlorides are present; the molybdenum in A4 is the whole difference. Remember that stainless is the corrosion answer, not the strength answer — for load, look at class 8.8 or 10.9 instead.
Using Stainless Fasteners in Aluminum
Stainless steel is more noble than aluminum, so with an electrolyte present — rain, condensation, salt spray — the aluminum becomes the anode and corrodes at the joint. Area ratio decides how bad it gets: a small stainless fastener in a large aluminum section is normally acceptable, a large stainless fastener in thin aluminum is not. Where the joint gets wet, isolate the metals with a coated or nylon washer and a sealant, or specify an aluminum or coated fastener instead.
Sizes of Parallel Keys Available in A2 Stainless Steel
| Shaft diameter range (mm) | Key width b (mm) | Key height h (mm) | Key length range (mm) | Shaft groove depth t1 (mm) | Hub groove depth t2 (mm) | Reference standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6~8 | 2 | 2 | 6~20 | 1.2 | 1.0 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 8~10 | 3 | 3 | 6~36 | 1.8 | 1.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 10~12 | 4 | 4 | 8~45 | 2.5 | 1.8 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 12~17 | 5 | 5 | 10~56 | 3.0 | 2.3 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 17~22 | 6 | 6 | 14~70 | 3.5 | 2.8 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 22~30 | 8 | 7 | 18~90 | 4.0 | 3.3 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 30~38 | 10 | 8 | 22~110 | 5.0 | 3.3 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 38~44 | 12 | 8 | 28~140 | 5.0 | 3.3 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 44~50 | 14 | 9 | 36~160 | 5.5 | 3.8 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 50~58 | 16 | 10 | 45~180 | 6.0 | 4.3 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 58~65 | 18 | 11 | 50~200 | 7.0 | 4.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 65~75 | 20 | 12 | 56~220 | 7.5 | 4.9 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 75~85 | 22 | 14 | 63~250 | 9.0 | 5.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 85~95 | 25 | 14 | 70~280 | 9.0 | 5.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 95~110 | 28 | 16 | 80~320 | 10.0 | 6.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 110~130 | 32 | 18 | 90~360 | 11.0 | 7.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 130~150 | 36 | 20 | 100~400 | 12.0 | 8.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 150~170 | 40 | 22 | 100~400 | 13.0 | 9.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 170~200 | 45 | 25 | 110~450 | 15.0 | 10.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 200~230 | 50 | 28 | 125~500 | 17.0 | 11.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 230~260 | 56 | 32 | 140~500 | 20.0 | 12.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 260~290 | 63 | 32 | 160~500 | 20.0 | 12.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 290~330 | 70 | 36 | 180~500 | 22.0 | 14.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 330~380 | 80 | 40 | 200~500 | 25.0 | 15.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 380~440 | 90 | 45 | 220~500 | 28.0 | 17.4 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
| 440~500 | 100 | 50 | 250~500 | 31.0 | 19.5 | DIN 6885 type A / ISO 773 | Type A round ends; B square ends; C one round one square |
Dimensions are independent of the material: every size above is available in A2 Stainless Steel.
Custom manufacturing · Made to drawing
Need this machine key in a grade that is not listed?
A2 Stainless Steel is one of the grades the catalog describes. Width, height, length, taper and material are specifiable, and the keyway drawing matters as much as the key itself. Made by milling or broaching & serration.
Minimum order from 2,000 pieces; samples within 7 days of drawing approval.
