Overview
EN ISO 13669:2025 - Fasteners: Grooved pins - General requirements is the harmonized European adoption of ISO 13669:2025. It specifies the general characteristics of grooved pins made from steel and stainless steel with nominal diameters from 1 mm to 25 mm. The standard defines geometry, groove types, end forms, functional principles and requirements needed to achieve reliable elastic-fit locking for applications such as locking, positioning, guiding and permitting controlled relative rotation.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and purpose: General requirements for grooved pins (steel and stainless steel) designed to provide an interference, elastic fit through longitudinal grooves.
- Shapes and ends: Defines pin end styles (rounded, chamfered, pilot point variants) and groove end types (open, closed).
- Groove shapes and symbols: Standardized groove geometries with symbols for identification:
- Diamond (D) - uniform expanded diameter
- Oval (O) - symmetrical, progressive expanded diameter
- Progressive (P) - non‑symmetrical progressive expanded diameter (can be tapered or reverse‑taper)
- Pin types: Parallel grooved, taper grooved, and reverse‑taper grooved pins - each producing a particular expanded diameter profile for specific assembly behaviour.
- Principles for assembly: Explains how the three equidistant (120°) grooves produce an expanded diameter that compresses when inserted into a mating hole to produce elastic locking.
- Dimensions and tolerances: Requirements for nominal diameters, expanded diameter control methods and pin straightness; these ensure interchangeability and reliable fit.
- Mechanical and physical properties: Includes provisions and references for shear resistance, hardness testing and material considerations for non‑standard materials.
- Inspection, marking and delivery: Manufacturer, supplier and purchaser inspection procedures, delivery of test results, and labelling/marking requirements.
Practical applications and who uses it
- Typical uses: locking parts, positioning and guiding components, and enabling controlled relative rotation in assemblies where interference fit and easy installation are required.
- Users:
- Fastener and component manufacturers (product design and quality control)
- Mechanical and design engineers specifying or selecting pins for assemblies
- Procurement and quality inspectors verifying conformity
- Test laboratories performing hardness and shear tests
- Industries: Automotive, machinery, aerospace subcomponents, industrial equipment and consumer products where reliable pin retention is needed.
Related standards
EN ISO 13669:2025 references and aligns with related standards for testing and inspection:
- ISO 1891-4 - Fasteners vocabulary (control, inspection, delivery)
- ISO 6507-1 - Vickers hardness test
- ISO 8749 - Pins and grooved pins shear test
- ISO 16228 - Types of inspection documents
For engineers and purchasers specifying grooved pins, EN ISO 13669:2025 provides the required product definitions, acceptance tests and inspection criteria to ensure consistent performance and interchangeability.
