Guidance

Technical Information

There is a lot more to spring design and manufacture than most people think. From choosing the correct material with a suitable balance between strength and reliability to choosing the correct surface finish and corrosion protection, the options are endless.

This section of the site will hopefully give a brief overview of the problems that we encounter when we start designing a spring, and the options available to solve those problems.

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Material Sizes

At Skegness Springs, we stock a wide range of wire sizes, covering all standard gauges as well as many non-standard metric and imperial sizes for applications. Download our wire size sheet here.

In addition to round wire, some springs require alternative cross-sectional shapes—such as square, D-shaped, or custom profiles. If your project demands a specific wire type, we can source and supply the right material to meet your exact specifications.

Need assistance selecting the right wire? Contact us today to discuss your requirements.

 

Material Types

There are many different types of material that can be used in spring production. See our full list of materials here.

Each material has different compositions and properties. At Skegness Springs we keep a large range of materials in stock ready for immediate use. These include the following:

  • Carbon Steels: BS5216, EN10270-1 etc
  • Stainless Steels: BS2056, EN10270-3 etc
  • Nickel-based alloys: Inconel X750, Elgiloy etc
  • Copper-based alloys: Phosphor Bronze
  • Plus many others

Spring Guide

Download our Spring Guide for help with specifying springs, counting the coils and identifying what hand the spring is wound. Download Spring Guide here

Corrosion Protection

Springs made from carbon spring steels are particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of corrosion.

The simplest method to protect the springs is to apply a coating of oil. Other options include pre-galvanized wire, zinc plating or Deltatone coatings.

Or choose a material that will not corrode in the intended environment

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Other factors

Another factor to consider when choosing a material type is operating temperature. The maximum operating temperature for carbon spring steel is 150°C, stainless steel 300°C and Inconel X750 550°C.

The best way to design your spring is to give us a call. We will happily assist with any questions you may have.

Spring Failure

This Is not an exhaustive list for why a spring fails however it is some of the more common reasons.

Fatigue Failure
  • Cause: Repeated loading cycles cause microcracks, leading to eventual failure.
  • Solution: Use high-fatigue-resistant materials and apply appropriate heat treatment additionally peening to enhance durability.
Corrosion-Related Failure
  • Cause: Exposure to moisture, chemicals, or extreme environments.
  • Solution: Use corrosion resistant materials such as stainless steel or Elgiloy or apply protective coatings.
Overloading & Plastic Deformation
  • Cause: Exceeding the design load of the spring.
  • Solution: Ensure proper material selection and verify load calculations with design.
Relaxation & Creep
  • Cause: High temperatures or prolonged stress cause a loss in spring force.
  • Solution: Pre-stress or hot press stress the spring or use high-temperature-resistant alloys such as Inconel
Wear & Abrasion
  • Cause: Continuous contact with surfaces leading to material loss.
  • Solution: Redesign spring to fit within the housing while considering the expansion or contraction of the spring in use.