Buy Key Steel Online in Australia
Key Steel — Metric and Imperial Keyway Stock for Shaft and Hub Locking
Key steel is precision-ground bar stock used to machine keys for shaft and hub connections — locking pulleys, sprockets, gears, couplings and other drive components onto rotating shafts. AIMS Industrial stocks metric and imperial key steel in square and rectangular sections from Goliath, Precision Brand, Precision, and Finer Power Transmissions.
Metric Key Steel
Metric key steel is available in square sections from 3mm to 25mm and rectangular sections in a wide range of widths and thicknesses, supplied in 300mm lengths. Zinc plated carbon steel is the standard grade for general drive applications. 304 stainless steel is available for corrosive or food-grade environments. Metric key dimensions conform to AS 1654 / ISO 773 standards.
Imperial Key Steel
Imperial key steel is available in square and rectangular sections supplied in 12" (approximately 300mm) lengths. Zinc plated carbon steel and 304 stainless steel options are stocked. Imperial key dimensions follow standard keyway and keyseat specifications for inch-dimensioned shafts.
Precision Key Steel
Precision Brand key steel is available as precision-ground square and rectangular bar in metric sizes — offering closer dimensional tolerances for applications where standard commercial bar would create a loose-fitting key joint. Precision key stock is particularly suited to high-speed or reversing drive applications where key clearance must be minimised.
Key and Keyway Selection
Key dimensions are determined by shaft diameter according to standard tables. The key should be a close sliding fit in the shaft keyway and a press fit in the hub keyway. Both the key and the keyway must be inspected for burrs and damage before assembly — a damaged keyway will prevent full hub seating and compromise the joint. Cut key steel to length using a cold saw or milling machine for clean, square ends.
Need a specific section or length? Contact our team — we can assist with sourcing cut-to-length or non-standard sections.