I saw on Wikipedia the following
> Split pins are frequently used to secure other fasteners, e.g. [clevis pins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clevis_pin), as well as being used in combination with [hardboard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardboard) discs as a traditional joining technique for [teddy bears](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teddy_bear)
I don’t understand how such a small element would help secure other fasteners, say a nut for example. How does it secure it, I mean what value does it exactly add?
In: 3
In your clevis example, there is a screw or pin penetrating both sides of the c- bracket / and wood on the left side of the picture.
The cotter pin would then go transversely through that screw or pin, then get spread/ split preventing the primary screw / pin from being able to slip out of the c- bracket.
Without a cotter pin, the nut or washer would be free to slide off the end.
In the case of a nut, the cotter pin stops it from being able to spin past the point of the hole the pin is secured through. You could achieve a similar effect by smashing the end, making a defacto rivet, bit the use of a spilt pin, allows for replacement of wearing parts, especially in cases of materials of differing hardness and friction.
By their nature, split pins are somewhat malleable and can be bent – as such they are made of metal. After many cycles of movement against plastic, wood, or a softer metal, wear will necessitate replacement of the wearing part. With a removable pin – this replacement can be done, if a riveting or mushrooming technique is used – then not so much.
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