WOODRUFF KEY, OVAL SHAPE

Woodruff keys are also relatively short and cannot carry the same load as longer keys. They are used for light-duty applications and mounting taper-bored components onto tapered shaft ends. They’re inappropriate for transmitting heavy torque, such as with wide-faced gears or multigroove V-belt pulleys. Mounting two or more Woodruff keys in line to carry higher loads is expensive and makes installation all the more problematic.