A cotter joint connects two rods subjected to tensile or compressive stress along their axes. It uses a tapered, rectangular steel cotter that is inserted through slots in the ends of the rods at a high angle to their axes. The cotter pulls the rods tightly together and its tapered shape and narrow ends facilitate installation and removal. A gib and cotter joint is similar but used for rods with square or rectangular cross sections, with a gib added that is like a cotter but has heads on both ends. These joints are not suitable when the rods are subjected to rotation.