When E-Clips (External Snap Rings) are required in A4 Stainless Steel, the alternative grades and the trade-offs between them matter as much as the dimensions. This page covers both, plus mechanical and corrosion data.
Why Choose A4 Stainless Steel for E-Clips (External Snap Rings)
Specified for marine, coastal and chemical applications. For e-clips (external snap rings), this matters when superior, including marine and chloride environments is the primary requirement.
Mechanical & Physical Properties
| Grade designation | A4-80 (316) |
|---|---|
| Magnetic response | Largely non-magnetic |
| Service temperature | approx. -200 °C to +400 °C |
| Corrosion characteristic | Superior, including marine and chloride environments |
Corrosion Behavior in Service
A4 (316) adds 2–3% molybdenum to the A2 (304) composition, which dramatically improves resistance to chloride-pitting corrosion. For E-Clips (External Snap Rings) in marine, coastal, swimming-pool or food-processing environments, A4 is the default selection.
Galvanic & Galling Considerations
Two important notes for stainless e-clips (external snap rings): (1) stainless can gall on stainless threads under load — use a thread lubricant or anti-galling compound, especially for M6 and below; (2) when joined to aluminum or galvanized steel, stainless can drive galvanic corrosion of the less-noble metal in wet service — isolate with a coating or sleeve where appropriate.
Sizes of E-Clips (External Snap Rings) Available in A4 Stainless Steel
| Groove diameter (mm) | Shaft diameter range (mm) | Outside diameter (mm) | Thickness s (mm) | Reference standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | 1.4~2.0 | 3.0 | 0.3 | DIN 6799 | E-clip, radial-fit external retaining |
| 1.5 | 2.0~2.5 | 3.8 | 0.4 | DIN 6799 | E-clip, radial-fit external retaining |
| 1.9 | 2.5~3.2 | 4.8 | 0.4 | DIN 6799 | E-clip, radial-fit external retaining |
| 2.3 | 3.2~4.0 | 6.0 | 0.6 | DIN 6799 | E-clip, radial-fit external retaining |
| 3.2 | 4.0~5.0 | 7.4 | 0.6 | DIN 6799 | E-clip, radial-fit external retaining |
| 4.0 | 5.0~7.0 | 9.0 | 0.7 | DIN 6799 | E-clip, radial-fit external retaining |
| 5.0 | 7.0~9.0 | 11.0 | 0.7 | DIN 6799 | E-clip, radial-fit external retaining |
| 6.0 | 9.0~11.0 | 12.2 | 0.8 | DIN 6799 | E-clip, radial-fit external retaining |
| 7.0 | 11.0~14.0 | 14.3 | 0.9 | DIN 6799 | E-clip, radial-fit external retaining |
| 8.0 | 14.0~18.0 | 16.2 | 1.0 | DIN 6799 | E-clip, radial-fit external retaining |
| 9.0 | 18.0~24.0 | 18.0 | 1.0 | DIN 6799 | E-clip, radial-fit external retaining |
| 10.0 | 24.0~31.0 | 20.2 | 1.2 | DIN 6799 | E-clip, radial-fit external retaining |
| 12.0 | 31.0~38.0 | 23.2 | 1.2 | DIN 6799 | E-clip, radial-fit external retaining |
| 15.0 | 38.0~45.0 | 29.0 | 1.5 | DIN 6799 | E-clip, radial-fit external retaining |
| 19.0 | 45.0~55.0 | 37.0 | 1.75 | DIN 6799 | E-clip, radial-fit external retaining |
| 24.0 | 55.0~70.0 | 44.0 | 2.0 | DIN 6799 | E-clip, radial-fit external retaining |