Official Answer
Answer
The stress $S$ in a wave spring is inversely proportional to the square of the number of waves $Z$. Specifically, $S \propto \frac{1}{Z^2}$. Increasing $Z$ significantly reduces the bending stress for a given deflection, which is critical for extending fatigue life. For high-cycle fatigue (e.g., >1 million cycles), engineers must ensure the maximum stress at work height remains below the fatigue limit of the material, often referenced via a Goodman diagram. For 17-7PH CH900, the design limit is typically around 45% of the minimum tensile strength for cyclic applications.
