Official Answer
Answer
In mining equipment, retaining rings are often subjected to high-magnitude impact or 'shock' loads. If the impact energy exceeds the material's ability to absorb it elastically, the groove wall (often made of cast iron or mild steel) will undergo 'local crushing' or 'brinelling'. This creates a ramp-like profile in the groove. Once the groove wall is no longer square, the ring easily 'cams' out during the next impact cycle. Troubleshooting such failures requires evaluating the 'Impact Factor' and often necessitates widening the groove to use a 'Nested' or 'Heavy Duty' ring to distribute the force over a larger area.
