Press and Shrink Fits

Outline

• Press fits
• Transmission of torque-pressure
• Stresses and displacements in the shaft and hub
• Diametral interference
• Interference diagram
• Effect of interference variations
• Installation; stress concentration due to press fit
• Calculation methods
– References
[1] Decker K.H., Maschinenelemente - Gestaltung und Berechnung, Carl Hanser Verlag,
München (D), 1982
[2] UNI 6387, Sistema ISO di tolleranze e accoppiamenti - principi fondamentali, 1968
[3] UNI 7218, Sistema ISO di tolleranze e accoppiamenti - zone di tolleranza per
accoppiamenti raccomandati, 1973
 Definition

• An interference fit, also known as a press fit or friction fit, is a

fastening between two parts which is achieved by friction
after the parts are pushed together, rather than by any other
means of fastening
• There are two basic methods for assembling an oversize shaft
into an undersized hole, sometimes used in combination:
– force (press fit, friction fit)
– thermal expansion or contraction (shrink fit, example: railroad axles,
wheels)
 Interference Fit
Generalities

• The two elements are forced one inside the other

– a shaft, with initial external diameter Dae is inserted into
– A hub , with internal diameter Dmi . Dae is larger than Dmi
– After assembly, the two diameters take the same nominal value Dc (contact
diameter)
• This is achieved through an equally exchanged pressure p that is
seen as:
– an internal pressure pi by the hub
– an external pressure pe by the shaft
• Therefore
– the hub is in tension
– the shaft is in compression
• Forcing pressure p must:
– guarantee transmission of torque
– do not induce stresses that are dangerous for the parts
 Interference Fit
Assembly and Stress Field in shaft/hub

p p
sr,m sr,m

sc,m
p p sc,m
p p

p sc,a p sc,a
sr,a sr,a
 Interference Fit
Assembly and Stress Field in shaft/hub
 Interference Fit
Torque Transmission

dN
dN = pbrd
d dT
r dT = fdN = fpbrd

b: length of the press fit coupling

r=
Dc f: friction coefficient (static)
2
2
2M t
• Transmitted Torque: M t = r  dT = 2r bfp  p =
2

0
D 2
c bf

 Dc 
• Insertion Force: F = fpAside = fpb 2   = fpbDc
 2 
 Interference Fit
Stresses in the Shaft – Hollow shaft

Boundary conditions: pi = 0, pe = p
2 2
 Dai   Dai  D
1−   1+  
r = −p  D 
, c = − p  D 
2 2
 Dai   Dai 
1 −   1 −  
 Dae   Dae 
2
Dai
 Dai 
(1 − ) +   (1 + ) Dae
ua = − p
D  D 
2
2E  Dai 
1 −  
 Dae 
The shaft is in compression D = generic diameter
 Interference Fit
Stresses in the Shaft – Filled shaft

Boundary conditions: pi = 0, pe = p Filled shaft => Dai=0

2 2
 Dai   Dai  D
1−   1+  
r = −p  D 
, c = − p  D 
2 2
 Dai   Dai 
1 −   1 −  
 Dae   Dae 
2
 Dai 
(1 − ) +   (1 + ) Dae
ua = − p
D  D 
2
2E  Dai 
1 −  
 Dae 
The shaft is in compression D = generic diameter
 Interference Fit
Stresses in the Shaft – Filled shaft

Boundary conditions: pi = 0, pe = p Filled shaft => Dai=0

𝜎𝑟 = −𝑝 , 𝜎𝑐 = −𝑝 D

𝐷
𝑢𝑎 = −𝑝 1−𝜈
2𝐸
Dae

The shaft is in compression D = generic diameter

 Interference Fit
Stresses in the Hub

Boundary conditions: pi = p, pe = 0
2 2
 Dmi   Dmi   Dmi   Dmi 
2 2

  −     +   D
 D   Dme   D   Dme 
r = −p 2
, c = p 2
 Dmi   Dmi 
1 −   1 −  
 Dme   Dme 
2
Dmi
 Dmi 
2
 Dmi 
(1 + )  + (1 − )  Dme
D  D   me 
D
um = + p 2
2E  Dmi 
1 −  
 Dme 
The hub is in tension D = generic diameter
 Radial interference

• Radial displacements of the outer

hub
shaft surface (compressed, moved
inwards: uae negative) and of the
inner hub surface (stretched, move
p outwards: umi positive) are linked
shaft to the diametral interference:
p

Dai
Dmi i = 2( uae + umi )
i/2
Dae i = Dae − Dmi
Dme
 Interference Fit
Radial Displacement at the Inner Diameter of the Shaft
• Hollow Shaft: 2
 Dai 
(1 − ) +   (1 + )
uae = − p
Dae 1  Dae 
2
2 E  Dai 
1 −  
 Dae  Dai
Dae 1 (1 − ) +  a2 (1 + ) Dae Dae
uae = − p = −p a
2 E 1− a 2
2

Shaft Compliance
βa = (Dai / Dae)

Dae (1 − ) Dae
• Solid shaft: uae = − p = −p a
2 E 2 Dae
 Interference Fit
Radial Displacement at the Outer Diameter of the Hub

2
 Dmi 
(1 + ) +   (1 − )
umi = p
Dmi 1  Dme 
2
2 E  Dmi 
1 −  
 Dme 
Dmi 1 (1 + ) +  m2 (1 − ) Dmi Dmi
umi = p = p m
2 E 1− m 2
2
Dme
δm, Hub Compliance

βm = (Dmi / Dme)
 Interference Fit
Pressure

• Radial interference can be written as:

i = 2( uae + umi ) = p( a Dae +  m Dmi )

• Given the size of both hub and shaft, the interference pressure
can be computed as:
i
p=
( a Dae +  m Dmi )
 Interference Diagram

p Dmi Dae
m a
2 2

u m ,i u a ,e
u
Dmi Dc Dae
2 2 2
i
2

Dae Dmi ( a +  m )
Dc =
 a Dae +  m Dmi
 Interference Fit
Pressure

• For metals the required interface for a given pressure is

obtained by chosen Geometric Tolerances
• Since are in the order of magnitude of micrometers (μm), it
can be assumed that:
Dmi  Dae  Dc  Dnominal
• The relation between pressure and interference is then:
i = 2( uae + umi ) = pDc ( a +  m )
• Therefore: i
p=
Dc ( a +  m )
i
p= (if interference i in μm)
Dc ( a +  m ) 10 3

• Note: compliance values are calculated on the basis of the

(common) nominal diameter
 Interference

• As it will be shown in the CAD course, tolerances are indicated

by adding to the nominal size, a letter with a number
– The letter designates the position w.r.t. the nominal dimension (Dc)
– The number designates the grade, that defines the tolerance, that is the
range where the actual dimension has to remain within. It is related to the
manufacturing quality IT (the smaller the IT, the higher the quality, the
smaller the uncertainty)
• Capital letters denote tolerances for HOLES
– Example: 16 H8 (= minimum limit 16.000 μm, maximum limit 16.027 μm)
• Lowercase letters denote tolerances for shafts
– Example: 16 f7 (= minimum limit 15.966 μm, maximum limit 15.984 μm)
• The coupling is specified as:
– 16 H8/f7
• Usually: IT(shaft) = IT(hole) -1
 Tolerancing System
Hole Basis

Clearance fits Transition Interference fits

fits

Hole: H

Dc Shaft
a b c d e f g h js k m n p q r s t u v x y z

* it depends on the IT quality also

 Tolerancing System
Hole Basis

• Quality depends on manufacturing (see tables)

• The interference depends on tolerances that in turn can be
obtained from available tables
• Example: interference in the coupling 40 H7/r6

+50
Shaft (ground)
+34
+25
Hole
(turned) 0

Dc = 40

• Maximum interference: imax = 50 – 0 = 50 μm → stress verification

• Minimum interference: imin = 34 – 25 = 9 μm → torque evaluation
 Tolerancing System
Tolerance Grade IT - Manufacturing Process

the smaller the IT, the higher the quality, the smaller the uncertainty

6 Grinding
7 High quality turning
8 Centre lathe turning
9 Horizontal or vertical boring
10 Milling; rolling; extrusion
11 Drilling; rough turning
12 Tube drawing
16 Sand casting
 Interference Variations

• Interference can change due to:

– Surface roughness ΔiR
– Temperature variations ΔiT
– Centrifugal effect Δiω
– Stress relaxation (especially plastics) ΔiC

• The total loss of interference will give a residual effective

interference:

ieffective = i − i R − i T − i  − i C
 Interference Variations
Roughness Effect

• Assembling the hub on the shaft, when they are of the same
material, causes crests crushing (about 40%) that will induce
a loss of interference:

i R = 2  0.4  (R ashaft + R ahub )

• Note: surface roughness is strictly linked to IT quality

 Interference Variations
Temperature Effect

• In the case of temperature variation, the effective interference

will be:
ieffective = Dae + Dae a T − ( Dmi + Dmi m T )
𝑖𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 = 𝐷𝑎𝑒 − 𝐷𝑚𝑖 + 𝐷𝑎𝑒 𝛼𝑎 Δ𝑇 − 𝐷𝑚𝑖 𝛼𝑚 Δ𝑇

Assuming that Dae ≈ Dmi ≈ Dc one finds:

ieffective = ( Dae − Dmi ) + Dc ( a −  m )T
ieffective = i − i T

• With:
i T = Dc ( m −  a )T
i T = Dc ( m −  a )T 103 Δi in μm
• If the materials are the same, variation due to temperature is always ΔiT = 0
• Otherwise, it can be positive or negative
 Interference Variations
Centrifugal Effect

• The centrifugal force causes different displacement on the

shaft and hub, at the contact diameter Dc:
i  = 2(umi
 
− uae )

• In the case of thin rings (example: rolling bearing rings on a

shaft) usually it is considered that uae = 0 (to be conservative).
Therefore, it comes out that:

  Di  2 De2  D  2 2
De
umi  uring ,i = → i = i
8E 4E

• In the case of rotating thick disks or thick tubes, see the

axisymmetric solids
• Careful with measurement system: use the SI of Units!
 Interference Variations
Effective Interference

p(0)
p
p(t )
p i
=
p i

Di ,m i / 2 D2,a u
ieff
2 2 2
i
2
 Assembling
Shrink Fits

• It is common to heat the outer component (hub) or even to

cool the shaft
• Heating temperature must be compatible with the material
• To cool the shaft it is possible to use dry ice (solid carbon
dioxide, –72°C) or liquid air (–190°C)

imax + s
T =
Dc 103
– imax maximum interference in mm, Dc in mm
– s initial clearance (additional 30-100 mm)
– α thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) of the hub
 Assembling
Press Fits

• The shaft is pushed forcedly into the hole in the hub

• The shaft must be tapered at 5° for 2-5 mm along the length to
avoid machining the hole
• Insertion can be eased by using oil or grease
• Insertion force can be estimated with the following formula:

F = p (0) A face f

f, Friction coefficient
 Press fitting
Stress Concentration

• The stress concentration due to press fits or srhink fits is very

difficult to evaluate
• Experience show that there is no fatigue strength reduction if
a 30% enlargement of the diameter with a shoulder in the
joint area is provided:
Dc  1.3 shaft

shaft Dc shaft

Horger and Buckwalter, 1940; White and Humpherson, 1969

 Press Fits
Design Procedure (metal hub/shaft)
1) to 3) in alternative

1) State diameter Dc, width 1) Defined Dc and the admissible pressure

b and materials 1 −  m2
padm =  adm
2) Compute pressure p to 3 +  m4
transmit the requested
torque: 2) Compute width b to transmit
the requested torque:
2M t
p=
Dc2bf b=
2M t
Dc2 pamm f
3) Make a first stress 3) If the width b is excessive,
verification: if not change geometry/material and
passed go back to 1) go back to 1)
Geometry and contact pressure are determined
 Press Fits
Design Procedure (metal hub/shaft)

4) Compute the minimum, necessary, actual interference to

obtain the prescribed pressure p:

iact ,min = pDc ( a +  m )103 i in mm

5) Compute the lower interference (nominal) of the real assembly to

have the necessary interference:

io = iact ,min + i R + i T + i 

6) Choose tolerances so to guarantee that:

inom ,min  i0
and choose the higher nominal interference by choosing the IT
grade (quality of machining): IT  inom ,max
 Press Fits
Design Procedure (metal hub/shaft)

7) Stress verification:
– compute pmax corresponding to the value of the
maximum interference inom,maxand compute iact,max
– compute stresses in hub and shaft, including possible
stresses coming from other sources
8) Compute temperature ΔT for shrink fitting or insertion
force F for press fitting
 Friction Coefficients
Steel Shafts

Hub f fₑ
Steel + oil 0.05-0.17 0.05-0.22
Press
Cast iron 0.07-012 0.07-0.13
fitting
Al/Mg alloys 0.02-0.06 0.02-0.08

Steel + oil 0.08-0.19 0.06-0.12

Shrink Steel + oil 0.06-0.16 0.06-0.16
fitting Cast iron 0.07-0.09 0.07-0.09
Al/Mg alloys 0.05-0.06 0.05-0.06
 Coefficient ot Thermal Expansion (CTE)

Material CTE (K⁻¹) Material CTE (K⁻¹)

Carbon steel 12×10⁻⁶ Polycarbonate (PC) 70×10⁻⁶
Alloy steel 11×10⁻⁶ PTFE 55×10⁻⁶
Inox steel 14×10⁻⁶ Polyamide (PA66) 80-100×10⁻⁶
Aluminum alloys 22×10⁻⁶ Polystyrene (PS) 60-80×10⁻⁶
Cast iron 10×10⁻⁶ Epoxy (EP) 45-65×10⁻⁶
Magnesium alloys 26×10⁻⁶ Polyethylene (PE) 100-200×10⁻⁶
Copper alloys 16×10⁻⁶ PE-terephtalate (PET) 70×10⁻⁶
Bronze/brass 18×10⁻⁶ Polypropylene (PP) 20-200×10⁻⁶

• CTE of plastics are largely variable (as all plastics properties)

• In the case of reinforcement it depends on the formulation
• Refer to the technical data of the specific resin used
 Press Fitting
Useful Formulas
2
 Dmi 
(1 + ) +   (1 − )
• Hub compliance: m =
1  Dme 
2
E  Dmi 
1 −  
 Dme 

2
 Dai 
(1 − ) +   (1 + )
• Hollow shaft compliance: a =
1  Dae 
2
E  Dai 
1 −  
 Dae 
• Solid shaft compliance: a =
(1 − )
E