Carbon steel (hardened) and AISI 302/316 stainless steel are the primary standard materials due to their excellent tensile properties.
Knowledge Center
Materiály a zpracování
Practical answers for wave spring and retaining ring selection, installation, materials and troubleshooting.
If the published answers do not match your application, send us your question and our team will review it.
Hardness is typically verified using Rockwell or Vickers microhardness testing on a cross-section of the wire to ensure compliance with material specifications.
Yes, PTFE coatings can be applied to provide low-friction properties, eliminate noise/squeaking, and provide additional chemical resistance.
AISI 316 stainless steel is widely preferred due to its superior non-reactive properties, easy sanitization, and compliance with food and drug contact regulations.
Carbon steel is the most economical. Stainless steel adds a moderate premium, while superalloys like Inconel, Elgiloy, and Hastelloy dramatically increase costs due to material and processing complexity.
Shot-peening introduces beneficial compressive residual stresses on the surface, which significantly enhances fatigue life across carbon steel, stainless steel, and superalloys.
Oil-tempered wire is pre-heat-treated to a uniform hardness and high tensile strength, providing superior structural uniformity across large wire profiles.
Passivation removes free iron from the surface using an acid solution, creating a passive chromium-oxide protective layer that prevents rust and environmental corrosion.
Yes, titanium alloys (like Grade 5 or Beta-C) are utilized where extreme weight reduction, high strength-to-weight ratio, and specific chemical resistance are mandatory.
AISI 302 stainless steel can perform reliably in environments up to approximately 204°C (400°F) before experiencing thermal degradation of properties.
Standard carbon steel wave springs should not exceed approximately 121°C (250°F) to prevent excessive stress relaxation and loss of load capacity.
Elgiloy is a cobalt-chromium-nickel alloy renowned for high strength, exceptional fatigue life, and extraordinary corrosion resistance, commonly specified in oil & gas and medical implants.
Materials like AISI 302/316 stainless steel or Inconel retain excellent ductility, toughness, and mechanical performance at sub-zero and cryogenic temperatures without becoming brittle.
Cold-worked stainless steel (like AISI 302/316) exhibits slight magnetism due to the grain deformation during drawing and coiling, though 316 is substantially less magnetic than 302.
Common finishes include black oxide for mild corrosion resistance, zinc plating for sacrificial protection, oil dip for storage protection, and phosphate coatings.
Hydrogen embrittlement causes sudden, catastrophic brittle failure under tensile stress. It typically occurs after acid pickling or electroplating if the spring is not properly baked immediately.
A286 offers an excellent combination of high strength and corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures up to 538°C (1000°F), often utilized in aerospace applications.
Yes, Beryllium Copper is selected for applications requiring excellent electrical conductivity, non-magnetic properties, and strong corrosion resistance.
Superalloys like Inconel X-750 are recommended for extreme temperatures up to 700°C (1300°F) because they maintain high tensile strength and resist creep.
AISI 316 should be selected for superior resistance to pitting and corrosion in marine, chemical, and medical environments, though it possesses slightly lower mechanical strength than 302.