What Type of Spring Steel Coil is Used in a Coil Spring?
Coil springs are found in a variety of household items like appliances, furniture and tools. They also appear in cars, sporting equipment and even electronics.
To ensure long lifespan and high performance, a coil spring needs to have properties like high elasticity limit and fatigue resistance. These are achieved through a combination of processes.
Types
There are many different types of spring steel coil that are used today. Some of them have specific properties that make them ideal for certain uses. These properties include resilience and the ability to be shaped and post heat treated. In addition, they are relatively inexpensive and easy to work with. However, determining what type of steel was used in a coil spring can be difficult if the manufacturer has not marked it with identifying information. In such cases, the springs can be analyzed by a professional to determine what type of steel was used.
Some of the most common types of spring steel coil are made from medium to high carbon and alloyed steels. These springs are often tempered in order to increase their hardness. The process involves heating the steel to a temperature below its recrystallization point, but above its melting point. It is also cooled quickly after this to prevent distortion and cracking.
Nickel based alloys are another popular choice for coil springs. These alloys are known for their excellent strength and resistance to corrosion. They are also hardened and tempered strip steel non-magnetic and are resistant to low temperatures. They are commonly used in gyroscopes, chronoscopes, and indicator instruments. Inconel 600 is a nickel chromium iron alloy that offers excellent resistance to corrosion and oxidation. It is also strong in high temperatures and is highly resistant to chloride stress cracking.
Properties
Spring steels are a group of medium-to-high carbon, low alloy metals that are defined by their high yield strength. This property allows springs made from these materials to be continuously twisted, bent, compressed, or extended and then returned back to their original shape without suffering permanent deformation. This property is achieved through both the specific composition of spring steels and their hardening.
There are several different types of coil springs available, and each type has its own set of unique properties that suit it to specific applications. For example, nickel based alloys such as Inconel 718 can withstand extremely high and low temperatures and have excellent fatigue, creep, and rupture strength. This makes it an ideal choice for a wide variety of industrial projects and operations.
Another popular type of coil spring is stainless steel wire. Stainless steel type 302, which is nonmagnetic, is best for applications that require corrosion resistance. It can also withstand temperatures up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit and subzero conditions. Stainless steel can be hardened by heat treatment or through a process known as work hardening.
One of the most important characteristics of any coil spring is its modulus of elasticity in tension and shear. This property is dependent on many factors, including chemical composition and cold working. In addition, surface quality has a significant impact on the modulus of elasticity, which is why it is critical to use only high-quality springs.
Applications
Coil springs are a vital part of many everyday items, including appliances like refrigerators and washing machines, furniture like desks, chairs, and shelving, tools like hammers and wrenches, sports equipment, and even cars. In order to function properly, they must be able to store and release energy, and they must also be able to withstand a lot of pressure and force. To ensure that this happens, they must be made of the right material.
A variety of different alloys are used to make coil springs, but high-carbon spring steels are the most common. These are able to withstand a lot of twisting and bending and can flex repeatedly without deforming. They have great fatigue strength and can operate in a range of temperatures. However, they are not as good for shock and impact load endurance as alloy steels.
After the coiling process, the spring undergoes a series of heat treatments and grinding to strengthen it. The resulting spring is then called “shot peened” or “stress-peened.” This helps prevent metal fatigue and cracking in the spring despite heavy use and frequent flexing. It is then set, which involves thoroughly compressing it to its intended length and pitch. Finally, the spring is coated with a layer of zinc to protect it from corrosion. This coating can be sprayed, dipped, or spun on the spring.
Cost
Spring steel coil has many uses, but it is most commonly used in the production of various types of springs. It is also commonly used in other components that require elastic properties, including binder clips and fasteners. Because of its high tensile strength, this type of steel can withstand Annealed Steel Strip considerable twisting or bending without deforming. It is also a popular choice for hand tools because it can be formed into pliers, wrenches, and scissors with ease. In addition, it can be shaped into music wire and is often utilized in the fabrication of lockpicks.
The cost of spring steel coil varies depending on the type and quality of steel used. The cost can be significantly reduced through the use of advanced heat treatment and metallurgy techniques. These processes can increase the yield strength of the steel and make it more ductile. Additionally, the cost can be further decreased through careful packaging and handling.
The most economical type of spring steel is hard-drawn, medium carbon steel. It has good formability and can be tempered to achieve a variety of Rockwell hardnesses. It is also easy to forge and weld, making it an ideal choice for commercial springs and other indoor-use items. It can be coated with various materials for protection against corrosion and to add color. Some common coatings include zinc, chromium, tin, and nickel.
