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Shear Stress in Key Formula:
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Shear stress in a key is the force per unit area tending to cause deformation of the key by slippage along a plane or planes parallel to the imposed stress. It's a critical parameter in mechanical design to ensure proper torque transmission between shafts and hubs.
The calculator uses the shear stress formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the shear stress by dividing the applied force by the cross-sectional area of the key that resists shearing.
Details: Accurate shear stress calculation is crucial for ensuring that keys can withstand the transmitted torque without failure. It helps in proper sizing of keys for mechanical assemblies and prevents premature failure due to shear.
Tips: Enter force in Newtons, width and length in meters. All values must be positive numbers. Ensure consistent units for accurate results.
Q1: What is the typical shear stress limit for keys?
A: The allowable shear stress depends on the key material. For steel keys, it's typically 40-60% of the material's yield strength.
Q2: How does key geometry affect shear stress?
A: Wider and longer keys have larger cross-sectional areas, resulting in lower shear stress for the same applied force.
Q3: When should shear stress in keys be calculated?
A: Shear stress should be calculated during the design phase of any power transmission system using keys to connect shafts and hubs.
Q4: Are there different types of keys that affect shear stress?
A: Yes, different key types (square, rectangular, Woodruff, etc.) have different shear characteristics, but the basic formula remains the same.
Q5: What safety factors are typically used for key design?
A: Safety factors of 2-4 are commonly used, depending on the application and consequences of failure.