Stainless Steel Springs, Music Wire Springs and Other Common Coil Spring Material Types

Three 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, different materials are used for different needs and circumstances. It is important to consider this when designing or selecting a coil spring. The three most common spring materials are: Music Wire, Stainless Steel and Chrome Silicon. However, when it comes to stock springs, music wire and stainless steel compression springs are the most popular options. Each material type has different advantages and 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 and especially in stock compression springs.. 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 and it is the second most common in stock 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 among custom springs but not as common in stock springs as the previous two material types. 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 our website Acxess Spring we specialize in custom coil springs and can also work with other materials under specialized requests and based on availability:

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

Stainless Steel Stock Springs and Ready to Ship Music Wire Springs

At Stock Springs Catalog we want to help you find the perfect stock spring. With over 23,000 different compression stock spring designs, you will find the right one with just a few clicks. Use our Spring Finder Search tool to quickly find what you need and click on the SEARCH MORE FIELDS OPTION to select the material type you want to search for. Should you require any of assistance in your coil spring purchase 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

Stainless Steel Springs, Music Wire Springs and Other Common Coil Spring Material Types

Three Common Material Types for Metal Coil Springs

Other Coil Spring Materials

Stainless Steel Stock Springs and Ready to Ship Music Wire Springs