Custom machined part
Plastic retainer rings
- Jobs
- Backup, clamp & retain
- Construction
- Solid or split
- Starting point
- Drawing or old ring
- Quantity
- One to production
Machined plastic rings that hold, back up or clamp parts of your assembly, without metal-on-metal contact at the shaft or bore. Made to your drawing or matched to your old ring.
- ±0.002"–±0.005" on critical dimensions
- Family owned in Aurora since 1986
- Expedited service for breakdowns
What a retainer ring does
Three jobs a ring can do
“Retainer ring” covers a few different parts. These are the common ones. Tell us which yours is.
- DIAGRAM: O-ring with backup ring in a groove, extrusion gap labeled
Backup ring
Sits beside an O-ring and closes the gap it could be squeezed into under pressure. It supports the seal, but isn’t the seal itself.
- DIAGRAM: ring clamping a component against a face
Clamping ring
Holds a part or component in place against a face, often in wet or chemical processes.
- DIAGRAM: ring retaining a bearing and seal stack in a housing
Stack retainer
Locates a seal, bearing or stack of parts along the shaft, in a housing or end cover.
Looking for a spring-steel circlip? Standard circlips are spring-metal fasteners. We machine plastic rings to a drawing, and a plastic ring isn’t a drop-in replacement for one.
What defines the ring
The ring, its fit and its job
- The ring
-
- ID and OD
- Section and thickness
- Solid, split or scarf-cut
- Its fit
-
- Groove or shoulder
- Mating shaft or bore
- How it’s installed
- Its job
-
- What it holds
- Axial or radial load
- Pressure direction
- Temperature and chemicals
- Any rubbing or motion
A used ring may be flattened, swollen or cracked. Send the groove or mating part with it if you can.
Getting a quote
Start with what you have
Any one of these is enough to get a quote started. Pick yours to see what helps.
Send the drawing and we machine to it.
- Quantity
- Plastic, if specified
- Drawing revision
Upload drawings, CAD files or photos on the quote form.
Send the old ring, with the groove or mating part if you can.
- What it holds
- How it failed
- Quantity
Upload drawings, CAD files or photos on the quote form.
Send what you know. We’ll ask for the rest.
- ID, OD and section
- Solid or split
- What it holds
Upload drawings, CAD files or photos on the quote form.
Plastics for retainer rings
Common choices, and why
- PTFE Low friction and chemical resistance. Watch for cold flow under load.
- PEEK Strength, heat and chemical resistance with little creep.
- Acetal Stiff and dimensionally stable.
- Nylon Tough and wear-resistant. It takes on moisture, which we allow for.
- G10 A rigid laminate that also insulates electrically.
Machined in Aurora
How your rings are made
±0.002"–
±0.005"
On critical dimensions, depending on the plastic.
- Rings CNC turned to your section, with splits and scarf cuts made as drawn.
- Specs and CAD files kept, so the next batch matches the last.
Evaluating a supplier? See the shop and how we check the work.
Buyer questions
Retainer ring FAQs
Something else? Call (630) 904-2525.
Backup rings are used for that. Send the groove and seal details, or your drawing, and we’ll machine the backup ring to fit.
There’s no single answer. It depends on the surface it sits against, contact pressure, motion, finish, temperature and chemicals. Tell us those, and we’ll suggest suitable plastics.
Yes, we machine splits and scarf cuts as drawn. Tell us the construction and how the ring is installed.
We hold ±0.002" to ±0.005" on critical dimensions, depending on the plastic. We review your drawing and confirm the critical dimensions, such as section, with your quote.
Timing depends on the ring, plastic and quantity, and comes with your quote. For an emergency breakdown, ask about our expedited service.
Not a retainer ring?
Find the right part
We machine almost any plastic part. If yours isn’t listed, describe it in a quote request.
Standard quote
Ready to send your ring details?
Experienced help from your first quote to the finished part.