Dendoff Springs Ltd.
12045 Old Yale Road
Surrey, British Columbia
Canada V3V 3X4
Phone: 604-580-3400
Toll-Free: 800-661-4205
Fax: 604-580-3600
Email: [email protected]
SPRING MATERIALS
In selecting spring material, several important considerations are:
Magnetic Characteristics
In some applications, even the minutest magnetic behavior can be detrimental.
Magnetic permeability can be altered by cold work; therefore some variation can be
expected.
Materials
Permeability at 200 Oersted
Room Temperature
Air
Brasses, Bronzes
Non Magnetic
Carbon Steels
>500
Inconel Alloys
600
625
X-750
1.01
1.0006
1.0035
Stainless Steels
Type 301, spring temper
Type 302, spring temper
631 (17 7 PH)
>30
>12
>40
Titanium Alloys
Non Magnetic
Elastic Modulus
The modulus of elasticity in tension and shear is vital to spring design. For most steels and
age-hardenable alloys, the modulus varies as a function of chemical composition, cold
works and degree of aging. Usually variations are small and can be compensated for by an
adjustment of the reference parameters of the spring design (number of active coils and coil
diameter).
For most materials, moduli are temperature-dependent and vary inversely with temperature
by approximately 2% per 55 C (100F).
Design criteria are best specified at room temperature after having made appropriate
compensation for the application temperature.
Certain nickel-chromium-iron alloys are designed to have a constant modulus over the
temperature range from -5 to 65 C and are an exception.
For true isotropic materials, the elastic moduli in tension (E) and shear (G) are related
through Poissons ration by the expression:
so that, for common spring materials, any one of the parameters may be approximated
using the other two.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
The operating environment in which the springs are to be used is a most important consideration. The
spring material must be compatible with the environment and be able to withstand the effects of
temperature and corrosion without an excessive loss in spring performance.
Corrosion and elevated temperatures decrease spring reliability. However, that being said, the effect of
temperature on spring materials can be predicted.
Temperature:
Applications in which temperatures are elevated may cause concern for stress relaxation, which creates a
loss of load or available deflection that occurs when a springs is held or cycled under load.
Temperature will also affect modulus, tensile and fatigue strength. Stress and temperature are related
exponentially to relaxation.
Other factors that can affect relaxation include:
Alloy Type
Residual Stress
Heat Setting
Grain Size
Corrosion:
Springs are subject to specific and general corrosion concerns, which will affect their life span and loadcarrying ability. The two most common methods used to fight the effects of corrosion are:
Specific spring material that is inert to the applicable environment. This is the most reliant
protection, albeit costly.
Protective coating, which are the most practical and cost-efficient solutions and include:
Metallic coatings applied by electroplating and mechanical plating, such as zinc, cadmium
and aluminum.
Barrier Coatings applied such as paints, oils, wax, greases, & phosphate coatings.
Protective Material
Standard Salt Spray
Test Resistance, hours
Paints:
Black Japan
15 -20
Lacquer
30 100
Enamel
50 400
Paint
25 - 300
Oils, Waxes
1 300
Phosphates with
supplemental oils, waxes, etc.
24 600
Cadmium, Zinc
24 - 100
Description
Dark coloured, usually dipped,
cured by baking.
Usually applied by spraying. Air
dried.
Hard finish; applied by spray,
brush or dip; cured by air or
baking.
Lubricating, rust-inhibiting, hard
drying & nondrying oils.
Chemical treatment converting
steel surface to iron phosphate
crystalline surface. Affords a
bond for oils & paints
Electroplated or mechanically
plated
SPRING WIRE
High Carbon Spring Wire
Material
Tensile Properties
Min. Tensile
Strength
psi x 10
[MPa]
Torsional
Properties
Modulus of
Elasticity
E
6
psi x 10
3]
[MPax10
Design
Stress
% Min.
Tensile
Maximum
Operating
Temperature
Rockwell
Hardness
Method of
Manufacture
Special
Properties
Modulus
in
torsion
G
6
psi x 10
[MPa x
3]
10
Music Wire
ASTM A228
230-399
30[207]
45
11.5 [79.3]
250
121
C41-60
Cold drawn high &
uniform tensile.
High quality springs
Hard Drawn
ASTM A227
CLI 147-283
[1014-1951]
CLI 171-324
[1179-2234]
30 [207]
40
11.5 [79.3]
250
121
C1-52
Cold drawn.
Average stress
applications. Lower
cost springs & wire
forms.
High Tensile
Hard Drawn
ASTM A679
238-350
[1641-2413]
30 [207]
45
11.5 [79.3]
250
121
C41-60
Cold drawn.
Higher quality
springs & wire
forms.
Oil Tempered
ASTM A229
CLI 165-293
[1138-2020]
CLI 191-324
[1317-2234]
30 [207]
45
11.5 [79.3]
250.
121
C42-55
Cold drawn & heat
treated before
fabricated.
General purpose
spring wire.
Carbon Valve
ASTM A230
215-240
[1482-1655]
30 [207]
45
11.5 [79.3]
250
121
C45-49
Cold drawn & heat
treated before
fabricated. Good
surface condition &
uniform tensile.
Suitable for cyclic
applications.
Carbon & Alloy-Specialty Spring Grade
Material
Tensile Properties
Min. Tensile
Strength
psi x 10
[MPa]
Torsional
Properties
Modulus of
Elasticity
E
6
psi x 10
3]
[MPax10
Design
Stress
% Min.
Tensile
Modulus
in torsion
G
6
psi x 10
[MPa x
3]
10
Maximum
Operating
Temperature
Rockwell
Hardness
Method of
Manufacture
Special
Properties
Grade B
Carbon
ASTM A1000
195-275
[1350-1897]
30 [207]
45
11.5 [79.3]
250
121
C45-49
Annealed & cold
drawn or oil
tempered, as
specified.
Grade C
Chrome
Vanadium
ASTM A1000
210-270
[1450-1860]
30 [207]
45
11.5 [79.3 ]
425
218
C41-55
Annealed & cold
drawn or oil
tempered, as
specified.
Grade A
Chrome Silicon
ASTM A1000
231-305
[1590-2100]
30 [207]
45
11.5 [79.3]
475
245
C48-55
Annealed & cold
drawn or oil
tempered, as
specified.
245 320
[1690 2200]
30 [207]
45
11.5 [79.3]
450
230
C45-55
Annealed & cold
drawn or oil
tempered, as
specified.
Grade D
Chrome
Vanadium
ASTM A1000
Alloy Steel Wire
Material
Tensile Properties
Min.
Tensile
Strength
psi x 10
[MPa]
Torsional
Properties
Modulus
of
Elasticity
E
6
psi x 10
3]
[MPax10
Design
Stress
% Min.
Tensile
Modulus
in
torsion
G
6
psi x 10
[MPa x
3]
10
Maximum
Rockwell
Operating
Hardness
Temperature
Method of
Manufacture Special
Properties
Chrome
Vanadium
ASTM A231
190-300
[1310-2069]
30 [207]
45
11.5
[79.3]
425
218
C41-45
Cold drawn & heat treated
before fabrication. Used for
shock loads & moderately
elevated temperatures.
Chrome
Vanadium
Valve
ASTM A232
205-290
[1414-2000]
30 [207]
45
11.5
[79.3 ]
430
220
C41-55
Cold drawn & heat treated
before fabrication. Used for
shock loads & moderately
elevated temperatures
Chrome
Vanadium
Valve
Modified
ASTM A878
205-290
[1590-2100]
30 [207]
45
11.5
[79.3]
430
220
C41-45
Annealed & cold drawn,
hardened & tempered before
fabrication. Used for shock
loads & moderately elevated
temperatures.
Chrome
Silicon
ASTM A401
235 305
[1690 2100]
30 [207]
45
11.5
[79.3]
475
245
C48-55
Cold drawn & hardened &
tempered before fabrication.
For shock loading &
moderately higher
temperatures.
245-305
[1690-2100]
30 [207]
45
11.5
[79.3]
475
245
C48-55
Cold drawn & hardened &
tempered before fabrication.
For shock loading &
moderately higher
temperatures.
Chrome
Silicon
Valve
ASTM A877
Stainless Steel Wire
Material
Tensile Properties
Min.
Tensile
Strength
psi x 10
[MPa]
Torsional
Properties
Modulus
of
Elasticity
E
6
psi x 10
3]
[MPax10
Design
Stress
% Min.
Tensile
Modulus
in
torsion
G
6
psi x 10
[MPa x
3]
10
Maximum
Operating
Temperature
Rockwell
Hardness
Method of
Manufacture Special
Properties
AISI
302/304
ASTM A 313
110-245
[758-1689]
28
[193]
35
10
[69.0]
550
288
C35-45
Cold drawn general purpose
corrosion & heat resistant.
Magnetic in spring temper.
AISI 316
ASTM A 313
110-245
[758-1689]
28
[193]
40
10
[69]
550
288
C35-45
Cold drawn. Heat resistant &
better corrosion resistance
than 302. Magnetic in spring
temper.
17-7 PH
ASTM A 303
[631]
Cond CH
235-335
[1620-2310]
29.5
[203]
45
11
[75.8]
650
343
C38-57
Cold drawn & precipitation
hardened after fabrication.
High strength & general
purpose corrosion
resistance. Slightly
magnetic in spring temper.
Non-Ferrous Alloy Wire
Material
Tensile Properties
Min.
Tensile
Strength
psi x 10
[MPa]
Torsional
Properties
Modulus
of
Elasticity
E
6
psi x 10
3]
[MPax10
Design
Stress
% Min.
Tensile
Maximum
Operating
Temperature
Rockwell
Hardness
Method of
Manufacture Special
Properties
Modulus
in
torsion
G
6
psi x 10
[MPa x
3]
10
6.25
[43.1]
200
93.3
B98-104
Cold drawn. Good corrosion
resistance & electrical
conductivity.
Phosphor
Bronze
Grade A
ASTM B 159
105-145
[724-1000]
15
[103]
40
Beryllium
Copper
ASTM B197
150-230
[1034-1586]
18.5
[128]
45
7.0
[48.3]
400
204
C35-43
Cold drawn & may be mill
hardened before fabrication.
Good corrosion resistance &
electrical conductivity. High
physicals.
Monel 400
AMS 7233
145-180
[1000-1241]
26
[179]
40
9.5
[65.5]
450
232
C23-32
Cold drawn. Good corrosion
resistance at moderately
elevated temperature.
Monel K 500
160-200
[1103-1379]
26
[179]
40
9.5
[65.5]
550
288
C23-35
Excellent corrosion
resistance at moderately
elevated temperature.
High Temperature Alloy Wire
Material
Tensile Properties
Min.
Tensile
Strength
psi x 10
[MPa]
Torsional
Properties
Modulus
of
Elasticity
E
6
psi x 10
3]
[MPax10
Design
Stress
% Min.
Tensile
Maximum
Operating
Temperature
Rockwell
Hardness
Method of
Manufacture Special
Properties
Modulus
in
torsion
G
6
psi x 10
[MPa x
3]
10
10.4
[71.7]
950
510
C35-42
Cold drawn & precipitation
hardened after fabrication.
Good corrosion resistance at
elevated temperature.
A286 Alloy
160-200
[1103-1379]
29
[200]
35
Inconel 600
100-230
[1172-1586]
31
[214]
40
11.0
[75.8]
700
371
c35-45
Cold drawn. Good corrosion
resistance at elevated
temperature.
Inconel 718
210-250
[1448-1724]
29
[200]
40
11.2
[77.2]
1100
593
C45-50
Cold drawn & precipitation
hardened after fabrication.
Good corrosion resistance at
elevated temperature.
Inconel x750
AMS 5698,
5699
No. IT 155
Min.
[1069]
Spg. T 190230
[1310-1586]
31
[214]
40
12
[82.7]
7501100
399593
C34-39
C42-48
Cold drawn & precipitation
hardened after fabrication.
Good corrosion resistance at
elevated temperature
Minimum tensile strengths of spring wire:
Spring relaxation data for Various Materials:
