Precision Brand 54251 Square Key Stock 0.25x0.25x24 in Steel

Product Description

The PRECISION BRAND 54251 is a square key stock bar used to transmit torque between a shaft and a mating hub, gear, pulley, or sprocket. Cut from low-carbon 1018 steel with a plain finish, this stock measures 0.25 inches wide by 0.25 inches high by 24 inches long and is sold as a single piece. The Rockwell B80-90 hardness rating provides adequate shear resistance for general power-transmission applications without being brittle. Machinists, millwrights, and maintenance technicians cut this bar to length on the job to fit standard quarter-inch keyways.

Square key stock in the 0.25-inch profile is a common fit for light-to-medium duty shaft assemblies found in HVAC blower assemblies, pump drives, conveyor systems, and general industrial equipment. The 24-inch bar length allows a single piece to yield multiple keys for production or maintenance work. A plain, uncoated finish makes the bar easy to machine, file, or grind to final fit on standard shop equipment.

Key Features

• Square 0.25 x 0.25-inch profile fits standard quarter-inch keyways
• Low-carbon 1018 steel — machinable, weldable, and readily available for field fabrication
• Rockwell B80-90 hardness — suitable for general power-transmission torque loads
• 24-inch bar length yields multiple cut-to-length keys from a single piece
• Plain finish requires no prep before cutting or fitting
• Sold as a single bar with no minimum order beyond one piece

Compatibility

Designed as a standard cut-to-length key stock for any shaft and hub assembly with a 0.25 x 0.25-inch square keyway, consistent with ANSI/ASME power-transmission keyway standards for that shaft diameter range.

Installation Notes

Installation is typically performed by a machinist, millwright, or qualified maintenance technician. De-energize and lock out the drive equipment before removing or fitting any key. Cut the key stock to length using a metal-cutting saw or mill; deburr all edges before fitting to avoid stress concentration in the keyway. Do not use a key that is a loose fit — a key with excessive side clearance will fret and fail under cyclic torque loading.