Official Answer
Answer
The maximum stress in a single-turn wave spring is located at the inner diameter ($D_i$) at the peak of each wave. The stress $\sigma$ is calculated as $\sigma = _x000c_rac{6 imes P imes D_m}{b imes t^2 imes N^2} imes K$, where $P$ is the load and $K$ is a stress concentration factor. This is a bending stress calculation based on the beam theory where the wave is treated as a curved segment. For carbon steel, the calculated stress should not exceed 80% of the minimum tensile strength for static applications, or 50% for cyclic applications. Exceeding these limits leads to permanent set, where the material transitions from elastic to plastic deformation zones, significantly altering the spring's load-deflection curve.
