Circlip External Stainless Steel 4mm - Pack of 5

External circlips (also called external retaining rings or snap rings) are precision-formed rings that snap into a machined groove around a shaft, holding bearings, gears, pulleys and other components securely in place. Available here in 304 grade stainless steel to DIN 471, they resist corrosion in washdown, marine, food-processing and outdoor environments where a plated or carbon-steel circlip would rust.

Where this product is used

External circlips are used wherever a component needs to be retained on a shaft without welding, bolting or machining a shoulder — the ring seats into a machined groove around the shaft and holds the component captive against axial movement.

• Bearing, gear and pulley retention on shafts in pumps, gearboxes, electric motors and general mechanical assemblies.
• Food, beverage and dairy processing equipment, where wash-down and hygiene requirements call for a stainless rather than plated-steel circlip.
• Marine and chemical plant machinery, and other outdoor or wet-environment equipment where corrosion resistance is essential.

Key specifications

Selecting the right option

Confirm internal vs external before ordering — an external circlip (this product) fits around a shaft; an internal circlip fits inside a bore or housing. Match the circlip to the exact shaft diameter for your application and check it against the machined groove dimensions in your equipment drawings or the manufacturer's spec sheet. Choose 304 stainless steel where the application involves washdown, marine, food-grade or outdoor corrosion exposure; standard carbon steel is a lower-cost option for dry, indoor, low-corrosion environments. For a full walkthrough of circlip types, sizing and fitting, see our Circlip Buying Guide. Contact AIMS if you need a size outside the standard range shown here.