Top 3 Metal Spring Materials

The Three Most Common Material Types for Metal Coil Springs

There are different types of materials used when manufacturing metal springs. Since each type of material has different properties, it is important to consider this when designing or selecting a spring. The most common spring materials are: Music Wire, Stainless Steel and Chrome Silicon. Each can provide certain advantages or disadvantages depending on the use and application of your spring. Consider the properties of each in order to select the right one.

Music Wire

Music Wire is the most common type of material in spring manufacturing. The more specific material name is Music Wire ASTM A228. This type of spring wire can resist a max temperature of 250ºF (121ºC) and has a Rockwell hardness of C41-60. What makes this material ideal is that it is both strong and economical. However, it is not recommended for springs that will be exposed to humidity or moist environments, as it is prone to rusting in these conditions. This material is ideal for most applications where high temperatures and humidity are not a factor. Other names for this type of material are: Spring Steel and Panel Wire.

music wire springs

Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel is quite a popular material for metal coil springs. There are three main types of stainless steel wire: Stainless Steel 302 (ASTM A-313), Stainless Steel 316 (ASTM A-316), or Stainless Steel 17-7 (ASTM A-313).

The most popular and most recommended type of Stainless Steel is Stainless Steel 302 and it can resist temperatures as high as 550º F (288º C). Contrary to popular belief, Music Wire is actually stronger than Stainless Steel. However, unlike music wire, stainless steel can withstand much higher temperatures and will not rust in humid or corrosive conditions. This makes stainless steel springs ideal for medical applications and high temperature conditions.

stainless steel springs

Chrome Silicon

This material type is the third most common. It is an Alloy Steel wire and it is better than Music Wire when it comes to withstanding high temperatures. It is also stronger than Stainless Steel. However, it is not recommended for humid conditions as it will rust when exposed to moisture. The maximum temperature it can resist is 475º F (246ºC). The high tensile strength of Chrome Silicon is ideal for specialty springs where more travel is required out of the metal spring. The material properties allow it to provide more force and higher elasticity than oil tempered.

alloy steel springs

Other Coil Spring Materials

Although music wire, stainless steel 302, and Chrome Silicon are the three most common materials for metal springs there are also a few others that are requested and used for spring manufacturing. At CompressionSpring.com we also work with these other material times that are sometimes requested:

Oil Tempered MB ASTM A229
Carbon Valve ASTM A230
Hard Drawn ASTM A227

Stainless 17-7 ASTM A313
Stainless 302 ASTM A313
Stainless 316 ASTM A316

Chrome Silicon ASTM A401
Phos-Brnz Grd A ASTM B159
Beryllium copper ASTM B197

Should you require any of our common materials or more extravagant metals for your compression springs, please be sure to contact us at: (951) 276-2777.

Compression Spring Finder

Find and buy stock compression springs in two simple steps using Spring Finder. This easy to use search engine makes it easy to find and buy the stock spring you need.

The following simple steps will get you started:

In the basic search, you can enter:

For the advanced search, you must select “Search More Fields”. Here you can enter:

Once you’ve entered your spring’s specifications, click “Search”.

The following are the specifications you can select to organize your search:

Spring Finder Results in Table

Spring Finder Results in Grid View

Extension Spring Finder

Find and buy stock extension springs in two easy steps using Spring Finder. This simple tool makes finding the stock tension spring you need a fast and productive task. Search through over 4,000 designs off the shelf.

The following simple steps will get you started:

In the basic search, you can enter:

To access the parameters in the advanced search, click on “Search More Fields” where the following dimensions will be available:

The fields are not mandatory so you can choose whatever dimension you feel needed and click “Search” once you have done so.

These are the specifications you can organize your extension springs by:

Spring Finder Results in Table

Spring Finder Results in Grid View

Torsion Spring Finder

Find and buy stock torsion springs in two easy steps using Spring Finder. This simple tool makes finding the stock torsion spring you need a fast and productive task. Search through about 1,000 designs off the shelf.

The following simple steps will get you started:

In the basic search, you can enter:

To access the parameters in the advanced search, click on “Search More Fields” where the following dimensions will be available:

The fields are not mandatory so you can choose whatever dimension you want and click “Search” once you have done so.

These are the specifications you can organize your torsion springs by:

Spring Finder Results in Table

Spring Finder Results in Grid View

Conical Spring Finder

Find and buy stock conical springs in two simple steps using Spring Finder. This easy to use search engine makes it easy to find and buy the stock spring you need.

The following simple steps will get you started:

In the basic search, you can enter:

For the advanced search, you must select “Search More Fields”. Here you can enter:

Once you've entered your spring's specifications, click “Search”.

The following are the specifications you can select to organize your search:

Spring Finder Results in Table

Spring Finder Results in Grid View

Top 3 Metal Spring Materials

The Three Most Common Material Types for Metal Coil Springs

Other Coil Spring Materials

Should you require any of our common materials or more extravagant metals for your compression springs, please be sure to contact us at: (951) 276-2777.