d.

Taper

Plain and threaded taper pins (AN385 and AN386) are used in joints which carry shear loads and where absence of play is
essential. The plain taper pin is drilled and usually safetied with wire. The threaded taper pin is used with a taper pin washer
(AN975) and shear nut (safetied with a cotter pin or safety clip) or self-locking nut. Both the plain and threaded taper pin are
used in aircraft structures to make a joint that is designed to carry shear loads. This type of pin does not allow any loose motion
or play. The AN385 plain taper pin is forced into a hole that has been reamed with a morse standard taper pin reamer and is
held in place by friction. It can be safetied by passing safety wire around the shaft and through a hole drilled its large end. An
AN386 taper pin is similar to the AN385 except that its small end is threaded to accept either a self-locking shear nut or a shear
castle nut.

5.9.2 Outline the construction, uses, installation, precautions and defects associated with the following types of key and keyway:

a. Plain

Plain keyways are the most widely used. They have a square or rectangular cross-section. Square keys are used for smaller shafts
and rectangular faced keys are used for shaft diameters over 6.5 in (170 mm) or when the wall thickness of the mating hub is an
issue. Set screws often accompany parallel keys to lock the mating parts into place. The keyway is a longitudinal slot in both the
shaft and mating part.

b. Tapered
The tapered key is tapered only on the side that engages the hub. The keyway in the hub has a taper that matches that of the

tapered key. Some taper keys have a gib or tab for easier removal during disassembly. The purpose of the taper is to secure the
key itself as well as to firmly engage the shaft to the hub without the need for a set screw. The problem with taper keys is that
they can cause the center of the shaft rotation to be slightly off of the mating part.

c. Woodruff

Woodruff keys are semicircular, such that, when installed, they leave a protruding flat end. The keyway in the shaft is a semi-
circular pocket; the mating part is a longitudinal slot. They are used to improve the concentricity of the shaft and the mating
part, which is critical for high speed operation. The main advantage of the Woodruff key is that it eliminates milling a keyway
near shaft shoulders, which already have stress concentrations. Common applications include machine tools and drive shafts of
components.