There are many kinds of springs. Also, there are more materials used to manufacture springs. So it is essential to choose the appropriate spring materials.
When selecting spring materials, we should consider their usage and service conditions (such as load nature, size and cycle characteristics, working duration, and operating temperature.). In addition, the processing, heat treatment, economy, and other factors while making the spring.
For us to ensure that the springs can work reliably, their materials must not only have higher strength limits and yield limits. But also have a higher elastic limit, fatigue limit, impact toughness, plasticity, and good heat treatment process. Therefore, the manufacturer widely uses spring steel, including carbon spring steel, low manganese spring steel, silicon manganese spring steel, and chromium-vanadium steel.
Carbon steel spring steel
This spring material (such as 65, 70 steel.) has the advantages of low price and convenient source of raw materials. However, the disadvantages are low elastic limit, easy loss of elasticity after repeated compression, and can not generally work under 130 ℃.
Low manganese spring steel
Compared with carbon spring steel, this spring steel (such as 65Mn) has the advantages of good hardenability and high strength. The disadvantage is that it is easy to produce cracks and thermal brittleness after quenching. However, due to its low price, it is often used to make springs with smaller sizes, such as clutch springs.
Silicon manganese spring steel
Adding silicon dramatically increases the elastic limit of the steel and improves the tempering stability. Therefore, manufacturers can temper silicon manganese spring steel at a higher temperature to obtain good mechanical properties. Silicon manganese spring steel is widely used in industry and is generally used to manufacture coil springs for automobiles and tractors.
Chromium vanadium steel
Adding vanadium (such as 50CrVA) to spring steel refines the steel structure and improves the steel’s strength and toughness. Chromium Vanadium steel has good resistance to fatigue and impact. In addition, it can work reliably at temperatures ranging from – 40 ℃ to 210 ℃. However, vanadium is more expensive. Therefore, manufacturers mainly use vanadium steel in high-demand occasions, such as manufacturing springs for aero-engine control systems.
Furthermore, some stainless steel, bronze, and other materials have corrosion resistance characteristics. Bronze also has magnetic and conductive. And it is often used to manufacture springs in chemical equipment or corrosive media. Yet Its disadvantages are that it is not easy to heat treat, and its mechanical properties are poor. Thus it is rarely used in general machinery.
The selection of spring materials must consider the usage, importance, load nature, size, cycle characteristics. Along with the working temperature, surrounding media, and other service conditions of the springs. As well as processing, heat treatment, and economic factors. To make the selection results meet the actual requirements. Steel is a common spring material; or us to ensure that the springs can work reliably, their materials must not only have higher strength limits and yield limits. But also have a higher elastic limit, fatigue limit, impact toughness, plasticity, and good heat treatment process. Therefore, the manufacturer widely uses spring steel, including carbon spring steel, low manganese spring steel, silicon manganese spring steel, and chromium-vanadium steel.