Why is 'Stress Relieving' a critical process step after coiling a spiral retaining ring made from SAE 1070 carbon steel?

Coiling a spiral ring involves significant cold working, which introduces high residual tensile stresses on the outer diameter and compressive stresses on the inner diameter. Without stress relieving (typically at 350-400°C for carbon steel), these residual stresses can lead to 'springback' or dimensional instability over time. More importantly, residual tensile stresses on the surface significantly lower the fatigue threshold and increase the risk of stress-corrosion cracking. Stress relieving 'stabilizes' the ring, ensuring that the installation tension and diameter remain within tolerance during the service life of the component.