Spring Steel Alloys
Most springs are made with these types of metals:
High Carbon Spring Steel - Most common for springs - low cost, easily worked, wide availability. Not recommended for high or low temperature applications or for shock or impact loading.
Alloy Spring Steel - Used for high stress and shock or impact loadings. Can withstand a wider temperature range than high carbon spring steel.
Stainless Spring Steel - Some alloys allow temperatures up to 288°C. Corrosion resistant but only 18-8 is recommended for sub-zero temperatures.
Copper Base Spring Alloys - More expensive than steels but often used in electrical components due to good conductivity and corrosion resistance. Suitable for sub-zero temperatures.
Nickel Base Spring Alloys - Corrosion resistant and can withstand a wide temperature range. Non-magnetic but relatively high electrical resistance.
Some popular alloys:
- Music Wire - ASTM A228
- Oil-Tempered MB Grade - ASTM A229
- Oil-Tempered HB Grade - SAE 1080
- Hard-Drawn MB Grade - ASTM A227
- Cold-Rolled Spring Steel, Blue-Tempered or Annealed - SAE 1074, 1064, 1070
- Cold-Rolled Spring Steel, Blue-Tempered Clock Steel - SAE 1095
- Chromium Vanadium - ASTM A231
- Chromium Silicon - ASTM A401
