Leaf-type air shafts are usually the most expensive and heaviest type of expanding air shaft. A Convertech leaf air shaft is less expensive and lighter than other leaf shafts. Featuring a simple interlocking extrusion leaf this air shaft is well-suited to light and medium duty narrow web applications.

Recommended for use with thin walled cores, the Convertech leaf shaft is well suited to narrow cores on slitters. For this type of shaft all cores must have identical inside diameters. If different diameters are mixed there may be substantial core slippage since the leaves cannot conform to the different dimensions. A leaf shaft should not be considered for use as a "differential type shaft" on slitters.