The Properties of Spring Steel Strip
In industrial settings, 301 stainless spring steel strip is the unsung hero behind everything from clamps to bearings. Its elasticity, corrosion resistance, and durability make it an essential piece of equipment.
Upon tempering, the cold-rolled strip reaches tensile strength values within the required range, while maintaining a high uniform elongation. This is largely due to the increased a’ martensite fraction after deformation and partitioning treatment.
Corrosion Resistance
Most metals react to oxygen and moisture in the air to form red rust. Spring steel, like stainless steel, needs corrosion protection to ensure it can be used in its intended application without premature damage or failure. Using the right coatings and treatments can help prevent this, protecting the integrity of metal springs and other flexible components.
When choosing a metal for springs, it’s important to consider corrosion resistance as well as tensile strength and elongation. Corrosion resistance is dependent on several factors, including temperature and the type of alloy used. In general, stainless steel is more resistant to corrosion than carbon steel because it has a higher nickel content and greater ability to form an oxide film over the surface of the metal.
High temperatures can impact the corrosion resistance of a spring because they cause stress relaxation. Stress relaxation occurs when a spring loses some of its load-carrying capacity as it’s subjected to repeated stress and cycles. This can reduce a spring’s fatigue strength and overall lifespan. The best way to prevent corrosion is to keep the spring in a cool, dry place and avoid exposure to extreme conditions.
Tensile Strength
The tensile strength of spring steel is a measure of the amount of force that can be applied to the strip before it breaks. It is a vital property for springs, clips and fasteners. Our range of cold rolled, hardened spring steel is designed to have the ideal tensile strength for a wide variety of applications.
Low carbon steel grades have low tensile strengths, but high-alloyed types can be up to 10 times stronger. The alloying elements used in these steels are silicon, manganese, chromium and vanadium. Most of these spring steels are hardened by heat treatment, but some are also work hardened through the use of grinding and shot peening.
While hardening the steel through heat treatment increases its tensile strength, it can also make the material brittle. This is why most springs blue spring steel strip are tempered after the hardening process, which relieves the stress and allows the tensile strength to be more controlled.
The tensile strength of spring steel strips can be increased by the heat treatment process, but it is important to consider other factors, such as its magnetic properties and ability to resist fatigue. Our 301 grade of spring steel has a low magnetic permeability and is able to withstand heavy loads over long periods without being permanently deformed, making it the perfect choice for clips and fasteners.
Elongation
The elongation of spring steel strip is a measure of its ability to bend without breaking. This is important Tinplate steel plate manufacturer when it comes to producing parts that need to be able to flex and return to their original shape after repeated use. This is particularly true for high-stress applications such as automotive coil springs, which are subjected to a large amount of tension on a regular basis.
Generally, the elongation of spring steel is dependent on its carbon content. However, it can also be affected by the forming process and heat treatment. In order to maximize the elongation of spring steel, it is essential to choose the correct grade and cold work it.
The high tensile strength of spring steel also makes it very difficult to weld, but this can be mitigated by using appropriate procedures and a suitable post-heat treatment. It is also resistant to most corrosive environments and can be used as a substitute for other materials in many applications, including welding.
Spring steel is used in a wide variety of different applications due to its versatility and general usefulness. It is often employed in the production of washers, cinch picks, antennas and saw blades. It is also known for its excellent toughness and elasticity. These characteristics make it ideal for creating lawn mower parts and vehicle coil springs.
Hardness
Spring steels are very hard but they remain pliable, making them an ideal material for a variety of applications. They can be forged and machined with ease while still maintaining their strength. They are also known for their ability to withstand significant twisting and bending without deforming or breaking. This is due to their elasticity, which allows them to rebound to their original shape after being deformed.
The tensile strength of spring steel strip can be improved through work hardening, which requires the material to be heated and then reduced in thickness. This process increases the tensile strength by reducing the internal stresses in the material. However, it is important to remember that if the tensile strength is pushed too high then the material can become brittle and break under strain.
Most commonly, spring steels are used to make coil springs and other suspension components for vehicles. They are also commonly used in tools like saw blades and metal-cutting dies. The hardness and durability of spring steel strip makes it an excellent choice for use in metal swords as well.
BSS stock a wide range of hardened and tempered spring steel grades, ranging from low carbon CS70 to the higher carbon CS80 and CS95 grades. These grades are often referred to in Europe as EN 10132-4 and can be heat treated using quenching or, more commonly, by tempering after forming.