---
title: White Paper - Retaining Ring Types and Selection 
description: Selecting the right retaining ring is essential to ensuring the integrity and performance of your assembly.
---

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*Technology that moves the world*

# Featured Resource

## Retaining Ring Types and Selection 

Selecting the right retaining ring is essential to ensuring the integrity and performance of your assembly. This whitepaper explores Smalley’s five primary spiral retaining ring types, including Single-Turn Spirolox®, Multiple-Turn Spirolox®, Constant Section (Snap) Rings, Hoopster®, and WaveRing®, and provides engineers with the knowledge needed to make informed design decisions. From light-duty to heavy-duty applications, each ring type is explained in terms of function, load capacity, installation method, and ideal use cases. Through detailed specifications and visual comparisons, engineers will learn how to match ring type to assembly requirements such as thrust capacity, groove dimensions, and environmental conditions.

The whitepaper also highlights Smalley’s edgewinding manufacturing process, material options, and removal techniques, making it a valuable reference for both standard and custom retaining ring selection. After reading this whitepaper, you will learn:

- How to choose between internal and external retaining rings
- The differences between five key retaining ring types
- What factors influence ring selection for your application
- How Smalley’s edgewinding process supports cost-effective customization

![constant section 1](https://resources.asme.org/hs-fs/hubfs/constant%20section%201.png?width=282&height=251&name=constant%20section%201.png)

 

**Company Profile**

Smalley is the global leader in Spiral Retaining Rings, Constant Section Rings, and Wave Springs. With over 11,000 standard parts in stock and custom design capabilities in a variety of materials, we deliver high-quality, space-saving solutions. Our team of engineers provides design consultations and CAD models to ensure the most cost-effective results for every application. Experience the Smalley Advantage with complimentary product samples available on our website.

 

*Brought to you by:*

[![smalley-logo](https://resources.asme.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ME%20Mag/smalley-logo.jpg?width=470&height=156&name=smalley-logo.jpg)](https://expert.smalley.com/l/104962/2025-03-12/5wxwzz)

 

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