The standard external retaining ring has a spiral construction, assembles axially, is made of passivated 302 stainless steel, and is made in USA. The ring has a flexible spiral construction that enables installation by hand and provides more clearance than taper sectioned rings with lug holes. The entire coil makes contact with the shaft diameter when installed. The ring installs by sliding onto a shaft from the end, also called axial assembly. Axially installed rings reach further around the outside diameter of the shaft than radially installed rings. The 302 stainless steel grade provides strength and offers good corrosion resistance in many environments, and may be slightly magnetic. The passivated finish enhances the natural corrosion resistance of stainless steel.

Retaining rings attach to a shaft (external) or install in a bore (internal), creating a shoulder to maintain component positioning within an assembly. While most rings install into a machined groove either on the inside or outside diameter of a shaft, self-locking rings attach to a shaft by using friction from means such as teeth and notches to maintain placement. Retaining rings should fit tightly enough into the groove or onto the shaft so they won't experience any movement.