When selecting raw materials for compression springs, factors such as the spring's operating conditions, the type of load it bears, whether it is subject to impact loads, and the allowable stress of the spring material must be considered. Furthermore, the manufacturability of the spring must also be taken into account. The spring material must possess high fatigue limit, yield point, and sufficient impact toughness. For hot-formed springs, the material is also required to have good hardenability, low overheat sensitivity, and resistance to decarburization.
Commonly used compression spring materials include carbon spring steel wire, piano wire, oil-quenched and tempered carbon spring steel wire, oil-quenched and tempered silicon-manganese spring steel wire, oil-quenched and tempered chromium-silicon spring steel wire for valves, chromium-vanadium spring steel wire, silicon-manganese spring steel wire, and chromium-silicon spring steel wire. These materials possess different properties, such as high strength, good elasticity, corrosion resistance, and resistance to high/low temperatures, making them suitable for various working environments and requirements.
Carbon spring steel wire possesses good strength and performance, making it suitable for springs under various stresses; piano wire boasts high strength and good toughness, making it suitable for important small springs; oil-quenched and tempered silicon-manganese spring steel wire exhibits high strength and good elasticity, but is prone to decarburization, making it suitable for springs with higher loads; chromium-vanadium spring steel wire maintains stable strength performance at high temperatures, making it suitable for springs operating at higher temperatures.
Besides metallic materials, some special materials such as ceramics, unidirectional glass fiber composites, rubber/polyurethane, and alloy steel are also used in spring manufacturing. These materials possess characteristics such as wear resistance, water resistance, low coefficient of friction, low density, and high strength.
