Spring Steel: Types and Uses
Spring steel is named for its use as a specialized alloy steel for the manufacture of various types of leaf springs, wire springs and other elastic components.
Spring steel components are very important and are used in products for shock absorbing and enhanced motion. It is used in different applications and has different types.
If you are inclined to learn about spring steel, you can go through this guide below.
What is the Composition of Spring Steel?
The materials selected for the alloying of spring steel are based on the yield strength and tensile strength requirements.
When making spring steel, the carbon content is present for sure, but along with that, about 0.5 to 1 percent of other elements are also present.
These elements, which are alloyed with carbon in spring steel, are chromium, vanadium, manganese, nickel, and molybdenum.
In spring steel, one of the most important elements is silicon, which offers durability and flexibility. Silicon even offers a high yield strength to the spring steel.
What is the Difference Between Steel and Spring Steel
Steel is an iron and carbon alloy which also has some other elements. Steel is of different types, and each type has its own unique properties.
They even have different alloy compositions and are processed through different methods.
Spring steel is also a type of steel, but it is opted for for its hardness, elasticity, and high yield strength. Hence, it offers suitability for use in springs and retaining clips.
The application of the two types will determine which is better. Automobile suspension systems, mechanical parts, and springs need spring steel as they can withstand cyclical stress.
Meanwhile, applications that do not need elasticity and high tensile strength will find usual steel to be a suitable choice.
Different Types of Spring Steel
There are different types of spring steel, each with its own composition, properties, and applications. Some of the common types of spring steel are as follows:
1074/1075
1074 and 1075 are spring steels that have high carbon content. They offer excellent wear resistance and are moderately hard.
These spring steel offer flexibility as well as strength and are suitable for use as blades, flat springs, and scrapers.
Due to their high carbon content, they are suitable for environments requiring resilience.
1095 (A684)
1095 is also known as A684; it has 0.95 percent carbon and excellent strength with edge retention.
It is, therefore, used in applications that need durability and edges that are sharp, like cutting tools and knives.
Due to the high carbon content, it is not very ductile and also has brittleness.
5160 (A689)
5160 spring steel, also called A689, is a low alloy steel with chromium. The presence of chromium makes it tough and fatigue-resistant.
It is used in the automobile sector for leaf springs, swords, and some heavy-duty tools. The presence of chromium content makes them wear and corrosion-resistant.
9255
9255 is an alloy of steel that is composed of silicon and manganese to enhance flexibility and strength.
It is suitable for coil springs and torsion bars. It is suitable for high-stress applications and can withstand high impact.
301 (A666) Spring Tempered Stainless Steel
A666 or 301 is a spring-tempered stainless steel. It offers high tensile strength and corrosion resistance.
It is used in such environments where corrosion resistance and flexibility are required. It also offers structural integrity and is used in automobile trims, medical tools and aerospace components.
Why Does Spring Steel Have a High Yield Strength?
Spring steel has high strength because it passes through the hardening stage. This process of hardening ensures that spring steel gains sufficient strength.
It is a process that is carried out with heat treatment, and then physical treatments like rolling, hammering, and drawing are done.
Hardening using heat treatment requires heating steel, and then the material is quenched to bring it to room temperature.
Once the steel has passed to heat treatment, it is subjected to tempering to ensure it doesn't get brittle.
This heat-treated spring steel has high yield and tensile strength, which makes it suitable for flat springs, knives, strips, rods, and bars manufacturing.
Common Uses for Spring Steel
Spring steel is a special type of steel, mainly used in the manufacture of springs. Springs are important mechanical parts, because of its good elasticity and fatigue resistance is widely used in many industrial fields, such as automotive, mechanical manufacturing, aerospace, medical and so on.
Automotive
Spring steel has high elasticity, high durability, low creep and other characteristics, and can improve the stability, comfort and safety of the car. Spring steel has a wide range of applications in the automotive field, including the manufacture of automotive suspension systems, engine shock absorbers, brake systems, transmissions and other components.
Mechanical Manufacturing
Due to its excellent toughness and high strength, it can meet the requirements of mechanical engineers for material strength and elasticity. Therefore, spring steel is used in the manufacture of various mechanical springs, elastic elements, coil springs, compression strings and other components.
Aerospace
Spring steel has excellent high strength, high elasticity, corrosion resistance, good fatigue resistance and high temperature performance, and can withstand high stress effects. As a result, it is the material of choice for a variety of spring components in aerospace manufacturing, including spring pins, launch support springs, feedback springs, control springs and spring separators.
Medical
Spring steel is widely used in the medical industry for its excellent elasticity, strength and durability. It is mainly used in the manufacture of medical devices and tools that require high strength and elastic recovery properties, including spring components for medical devices, surgical tools, physical therapy elasticity devices, implants and fixation devices.
Start Your Spring Steel Project with DEK
DEK is one of the leading manufacturers of components using versatile materials. We have different manufacturing processes that we use to cater to your projects as well.
If you are looking for reliable, affordable, and high-quality components made using spring steel, you can contact us. We will provide you with custom spring steel components for your project.
Conclusion
The different types of spring steel are used in different applications, offering high strength and durability.
As you have read the guide above, your insight into spring steel must be quite clear and you can choose the right type for your projects.
