Contact Pressure Distribution in a Key Joint

Abstract

This paper contains an investigation of the contact pressure distribution in a key joint using the Finite Element Method. The key is mounted using an interference fit, and the torque transmission is increased in steps from 0 to 25, 50, 75, and 100 % of the maximum torque. The obtained pressure distributions show a very pronounced transition of the stress distribution from pure interference fit to almost pure torque transmission. It is also found that the pressure distribution and the number of contact surfaces depends heavily on the initial fit between the shaft and the key.