By : Nikhil Patharabe

Siddiqui Adil Adnan

Sidusare Prasad
 Cotter Joint
 A cotter joints is a flat wedge link piece of steel of rectangular
cross section which is inserted through the rod at high angle to
there axes. It is uniform in thickness but tapering in width,
generally on one side only. Usually the taper is 1 in 30. When a
special arrangement like a set-screw is provided for keeping the
cotter from slackening, its taper may be as large as 1 in 7. The end
of the cotter are made narrow to facilitate the hammering for
fixing and removing.
 Cotter joints are generally used to fasten rigidly two rods which is
subjected to tensile or compressive stress along their axis. This
joint is used to connect two circular rods.
 This joint is not suitable where the member are subjected under
rotation
 Thus they differ from key joints which are used to fasten shaft
and hubs subjected to tensional stress.
Fig. Cotter Joint
 The cotter joint assembly consist of following major components :
1. Socket
2. Spigot
3. Cotter
 The construction of cotter joint used to connect two rods. Consider rod
A and B. Rod A is provided with socket end whereas rod B is provided
with spigot end and inserted into a socket.
 The socket and spigot is provided with a narrow rectangular slot with
taper on one side and a cotter is tightly fits into the slots.
 A cotter is wedge-shaped piece made of steel plate having rectangular
cross section with its width tapered on one side to match the taper in
slots provided in socket and spigot.
 Many a times, the cotter is made of weaker material as compared to
socket and spigot. This is due to the fact that, the cost of cotter is less as
compared to socket and spigot. Hence, if at all there is a failure, cotter
should fail instead of socket and spigot.
Exploded view of Cotter Joint
 Mainly cotter joint is manufacture by using
deformation process.
 A metal is either hot or cold, is plastically deform into
desire shape. Forging, rolling, extrusion, press working
are the examples of deformation process.
 All parts of cotter joint are manufacture by forging
process
 In forging metal is in plastic stage, rather than in the
molten stage is force to flow in the desired shape.
 Further cotter joint is manufactured by cold forging.
Why forging process is used
 The fiber lines of forged components can be arranged in a
predetermined way to suit the direction of external forces
that will act on the component when in service.
 Therefore forged components have inherent strength and
they are ideally suitable for applications like connecting
rod and crank shafts.
 Forged components can be provided with thin section
without reducing the strength. This reults in light weight
construction.
 Forging the cotter as a separate part provides greater
flexibility in the selection of forging techniques and also
provides a smaller part for the machining and boring
operation.
Actual Forging Process
Advantages :
 The main advantage of this joint is quick assembly and disassembly is
possible.
 Simple in design & manufacture.
 Wedge action develops very high tightening force which prevents
loosening.
 Cotter joint can be easily made, and the parts always occupy exactly the
same relative positions after raessembly.

Disadvantages :
 No misalignment is allowed.
 Skill operator is required.
 Applications
 Joint between piston rod and cross head of
steam engine.
 Joint between valve rod and its steam.
 A steam engine connecting rod strap end,
and
 Foundation bolt.
THANK YOU