Material specification page for woodruff keys in Grade 8.8 Steel. Covers the grade designation (class 8.8), corrosion and magnetic behavior, comparable grades and their trade-offs, and the sizes available to DIN 6888.
Why Choose Grade 8.8 Steel for Woodruff Keys
The workhorse medium-carbon alloy grade for structural joints. For woodruff keys, this matters when requires plating (zinc) for corrosion protection is the primary requirement.
Mechanical & Physical Properties
| Grade designation | class 8.8 |
|---|---|
| Magnetic response | Magnetic |
| Service temperature | up to approx. +300 °C |
| Corrosion characteristic | Requires plating (zinc) for corrosion protection |
Corrosion Behavior in Service
Carbon and alloy steel woodruff keys require a coating for corrosion protection. Zinc plating (with or without passivation) is the most common; hot-dip galvanizing is used for outdoor structural service; black-oxide is mainly a tarnish-prevention finish for tool-room use.
Comparable Grades
For Woodruff Keys, class 10.9 or 12.9 is the comparable strength step. Move up when the joint preload approaches the proof load of the current class; move down when the joint is over-specified. For corrosion-critical service, switch to stainless A2 or A4.
Sizes of Woodruff Keys Available in Grade 8.8 Steel
| Key width b (mm) | Disc diameter d (mm) | Key height h (mm) | Chord length l (mm) | Shaft groove depth t1 (mm) | Hub groove depth t2 (mm) | Reference standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 4 | 1.4 | 3.7 | 1.0 | 0.6 | DIN 6888 / ISO 3912 |
| 1.5 | 4 | 1.4 | 3.7 | 1.0 | 0.6 | DIN 6888 / ISO 3912 |
| 2.0 | 5 | 1.8 | 4.7 | 1.4 | 0.6 | DIN 6888 / ISO 3912 |
| 2.0 | 6 | 2.6 | 5.7 | 2.0 | 0.8 | DIN 6888 / ISO 3912 |
| 2.5 | 7 | 3.0 | 6.8 | 2.3 | 1.0 | DIN 6888 / ISO 3912 |
| 3.0 | 7 | 3.0 | 6.8 | 2.3 | 1.0 | DIN 6888 / ISO 3912 |
| 3.0 | 9 | 4.0 | 8.8 | 3.2 | 1.0 | DIN 6888 / ISO 3912 |
| 3.0 | 10 | 4.5 | 9.8 | 3.5 | 1.2 | DIN 6888 / ISO 3912 |
| 4.0 | 9 | 4.0 | 8.8 | 3.2 | 1.0 | DIN 6888 / ISO 3912 |
| 4.0 | 10 | 4.5 | 9.8 | 3.5 | 1.2 | DIN 6888 / ISO 3912 |
| 4.0 | 13 | 6.0 | 12.7 | 5.0 | 1.4 | DIN 6888 / ISO 3912 |
| 5.0 | 10 | 4.5 | 9.8 | 3.5 | 1.2 | DIN 6888 / ISO 3912 |
| 5.0 | 13 | 6.0 | 12.7 | 5.0 | 1.4 | DIN 6888 / ISO 3912 |
| 5.0 | 16 | 7.5 | 15.7 | 6.3 | 1.4 | DIN 6888 / ISO 3912 |
| 6.0 | 13 | 6.0 | 12.7 | 5.0 | 1.4 | DIN 6888 / ISO 3912 |
| 6.0 | 16 | 7.5 | 15.7 | 6.3 | 1.4 | DIN 6888 / ISO 3912 |
| 6.0 | 19 | 9.0 | 18.6 | 7.5 | 1.8 | DIN 6888 / ISO 3912 |
| 8.0 | 19 | 9.0 | 18.6 | 7.5 | 1.8 | DIN 6888 / ISO 3912 |
| 8.0 | 22 | 11.0 | 21.6 | 9.3 | 1.8 | DIN 6888 / ISO 3912 |
| 10.0 | 22 | 11.0 | 21.6 | 9.3 | 1.8 | DIN 6888 / ISO 3912 |
| 10.0 | 25 | 13.0 | 24.5 | 11.0 | 2.3 | DIN 6888 / ISO 3912 |