High-quality spring steel is categorized as either low alloy, high carbon steel or simply medium carbon steel – all with varied levels of strength. What this is responsible for is that it allows for the alteration of the material’s shape into whatever shape is preferred in spite of having undergone continuous twisting and bending in the course of its production. At the moment, there are various manufacturers of oil-hardened spring steel all of which are made available at very reasonable prices. It is important to note that, the oil tempered steel is usually characteristic of a high degree of elasticity coupled by ductility all of which is obtained as a result of tempering and subject to oil quenching.
As far as production is concerned, AISI 6150 for springs is usually made available to spring manufacturers in a form that requires very little or absolutely no heating. This allows for or better yet makes it very easy to relieve any strains that are likely to form afterward. The steel for flat springs as well as that which is meant for helicals in most cases is usually made available in an annealed condition. In fact, the most suitable option for small springs has been found to be plain carbon steel. When it comes to the large springs, alloys of steel such as chrome-vanadium or even silicon manganese are better preferred for use. This is mainly because they have previously proven to serve as a guarantee to achieve an extremely uniform structure across the cross-section of the steel.
Another very important thing to note when it comes to high-quality stainless steel is the fact that all sides of the spring must be made exclusively free from any kind of defect or even any form of decarburization. Making sure of this is very important since it is responsible for significantly reducing fatigue strength hence the various common stainless steel spring grades available such as the AISI 6150 or the 1.8159.
Speaking of grades, stainless steel spring wires such as the 51CrV4 and the 50CrV4 are characteristic of a high level of resistance to heat, deformation and even fatigue hence the reason they have varied applications. Some of the common applications include:
- The production of springs meant for dynamic loads
- The production of engine valve springs
In case you are looking for high-quality stainless steel springs then it is strongly advised that you first off take time and familiarize yourself with the process of oil hardening as well as some of the key tempered spring steel items. Doing so will give you an edge especially when it comes down to choosing a particular grade of steel spring for a particular application for the first time.
Keep in mind stainless steel springs have varied levels of hardness that range between 352 and 415, the final application or use in most cases is what determines the grade of the steel. As a matter of fact, it even dictates the extent of the forming operation. For instance, steel meant for flat springs would be subject to cold rolling and then tempered to the required hardness.
