The most common type of groove failure is yielding of the groove material that occurs when the thrust load, applied through the retaining ring against the corner of the groove, exceeds the compressive yield strength of the groove. This yielding of the groove results from a low compressive yield strength of the groove material, and allows the ring to tilt and come out of the groove, moment across the cross-section of the ring generates a tensile stress that is highest at the interior diameter of the ring. If the maximum stress is greater than the yield strength of the ring material, the ring ID will grow and the ring will become permanently dished in shape. To determine the thrust load capacity of a ring based on groove deformation, the allowable angle of ring deflection must be calculated, then the thrust load based on groove yield can be determined.

Thrust load P_g which estimates groove deformation equation:

P_g = ( π D d S_y ) / K

Where:

P_s = Thrust force ( lb_f, N ),
D = Shaft or housing diameter (in, mm),
d = Retaining ring groove depth (in, mm),
t = Retaining ring thickness (in, mm),
S_y = Yield stength of the groove material (lb/in², N/mm²)
K = Factor of safety

Keep units consitant, in with lb/in² and mm with N/mm².