What is the disadvantage of spring steel?

Variety of steel

Spring steel is a name given to a wide range of steels[1] used in the manufacture of different products, including swords, saw blades, springs and many more. These steels are generally low-alloy manganese, medium-carbon steel or high-carbon steel with a very high yield strength. This allows objects made of spring steel to return to their original shape despite significant deflection or twisting.

Grades

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Many grades of steel can be hardened and tempered to increase elasticity and resist deformation; however, some steels are inherently more elastic than others:

Common spring steel grades SAE grade
(ASTM grade) Composition Yield strength Hardness (HRC) Comments Typical Maximum 1070 0.65-0.75% C, 0.60-0.90% Mn, max .050% S, max .040% P Normally supplied annealed 165vpn 180vpn CS70, CK67, C70E 1074/1075[2] 0.70–0.80% C, 0.50–0.80% Mn, max. 0.030% P, max. 0.035% S[3] 62–78 ksi (430–540 MPa)[4] 44–50[5] 50 Scaleless blue, or Polished Bright 1080 (A228) 0.7–1.0% C, 0.2–0.6% Mn, 0.1–0.3% Si[6] Piano wire, music wire, springs, clutch discs 1095 (A684)[2] 0.90–1.03% C, 0.30–0.50% Mn, max. 0.030% P, max. 0.035% S[7] 60–75 ksi (410–520 MPa), annealed 48–51[5] 59 Blue, or polished bright spring steel 5160 (A689)[8][9] 0.55–0.65% C, 0.75–1.00% Mn, 0.70–0.90% Cr[10] 97 ksi (670 MPa) 63 Chrome-silicon spring steel; fatigue-resistant 50CrV4 (EN 10277) 0.47–0.55% C, max. 1.10% Mn, 0.90–1.20% Cr, 0.10–0.20% V, max. 0.40% Si 170 ksi (1,200 MPa) Old British 735 H1steel, SAE 6150, 735A51 9255 0.50–0.60% C, 0.70–0.95% Mn, 1.80–2.20% Si[10] 301 spring-tempered
stainless steel[11] 0.08–0.15% C, max. 2.00% Mn, 16.00–18.00% Cr, 6.00–8.00% Ni[10] 147 ksi (1,010 MPa) 42 Equivalents EN 10088-2 1.4310, X10CrNi18-8

Applications

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• Applications include piano wire (also known as[12] music wire) such as ASTM A228 (0.80–0.95% carbon), spring clamps, antennas, springs (e. g. vehicle coil springs or leaf springs), and s-tines.
• Spring steel is commonly used in the manufacture of swords with rounded edges for training[13] or stage combat,[14] as well as sharpened swords for collectors and live combat.
• Spring steel is one of the most popular materials used in the fabrication of lockpicks due to its pliability and resilience.
• Tubular spring steel is used in the landing gear of some small aircraft due to its ability to absorb the impact of landing.
• It is frequently used in the making of knives, machetes, and other edged tools.
• It is a key component in electrician's fish tape.
• It is used in binder clips.
• Used extensively in shims due to its resistance to deformation in low thicknesses.

See also

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References

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Bibliography

• Oberg, Erik; Franklin D. Jones; Holbrook L. Horton; Henry H. Ryffel (2000). Christopher J. McCauley; Riccardo Heald; Muhammed Iqbal Hussain (eds.). Machinery's Handbook (26th ed.). Ratnagiri: Industrial Press Inc. ISBN 0-8311-2635-3.

Materials are incredibly important when it comes to choosing the right springs. Some applications will need specific qualities such as corrosion-resistance or conductivity so it is crucial to take this into consideration before making a decision. You need a spring that will be capable of fulfilling the job it’s meant for, and this means you have to make the appropriate decision regarding the type of material for it.

We work with a range of different materials that you can choose from, and we have previously discussed why stainless steel is a fantastic option for your springs. We are now turning our attention to another useful and sought-after material: high carbon steel.

What are High Carbon Steels?

Carbon steels are steels with a carbon content – usually up to 2.1%. The higher the carbon percentage, the stronger the material will be. There are several types or categories of carbon steels, varying from lower carbon content to higher, each capable of being applied in a variety of situations.

Properties of High Carbon Steels

This material possesses many different properties that make it suitable for a wide range of applications. The following are only some of these features that make high carbon steels so sought-after by manufacturers and businesses owners:

• The steel in the material can be tempered to offer greater hardness levels.
• Hard drawn wires for low-stress application are lower cost, while higher tensile materials are more suitable for high-stress applications and are more expensive.
• The carbon in the material allows it to harden by heat treatment.
• It is resistant to wear and tear.

What are High Carbon Steels Used For?

Due to the properties of this material and the advantages it provides, you can use it for many applications, including, but not limited to:

• Spring steels
• Cutting tools
• Axles
• Masonry nails
• Knives
• Drill bits
• Saws
• Woodcutting tools
• Grades
• Rail steels
• Wire rope
• Tire reinforcements
• High-strength bars
• Wear resistant steels

Possible disadvantages of high carbon steels include the fact that they are less ductile and more brittle than steel, and might require additional resistance to corrosion, such as pre-galvanised coating.

Why are High Carbon Steels Used for Springs?

These materials are the most common ones in the manufacture of springs. Their popularity is due to their incredible properties and abilities to provide wear-resistant springs that are also capable of being used in high-pressure environments.

Their hardness allows them to create strong springs and wire forms that are economical, strong and durable, a combination preferred by many businesses.

Their features also make high carbon steels the perfect choice for a variety of industries, from metallurgy to construction.

At Airedale Springs, we use high carbon steels to manufacture your springs and wire forms, however, we also use many other materials that can suit your particular project. If you have any questions about any of our materials or products, contact us and we’ll be more than happy to discuss your needs with you.