Is Music Wire Right for My Spring?

Four Questions to Ask

Despite the specific name, music wire is suitable for a broad range of parts and components, including springs. This highly versatile wire is constructed from high carbon steel, making it a good choice for high-stress applications. Along with its high and consistent tensile strength, music wire is also able to handle severe bends. These characteristics make this type of wire a popular choice for coiled springs. Cost, which is comparable to the lower quality carbon steels, is another attractive feature of music wire.

While these characteristics make music wire a great spring material choice for springs, there are some applications for which music wire will not be a good fit. Here are four questions that will help you to determine whether music wire is right for your springs:

1. Does your application require corrosion resistance?
   A protective coating such as zinc plating can be applied to music wire, but that will not prevent corrosion long term. If corrosion resistance is required music wire is probably not the best option.
2. Does your application involve exposure to high temperatures?
   Music wire is not ideally suited for use in high temperature environments. For high temperatures above 250 degrees F, 302 stainless steel is a better option.
3. Does your application require a thick wire diameter?
   Music wire will not deliver the best performance when a thicker spring diameter is required. In most cases spring designers will recommend oil temper for large wire diameters.
4. Do you need a large quantity applications?
   Hard drawn carbon steel is a more cost effective choice than music wire when it comes to large production needs for low stress applications.

When you need springs, it is best to speak with an experienced spring manufacturer that can help you determine which type of spring and which material will provide you with the best application fit and performance. If you are not sure whether or not music wire springs are the best choice for your application, contact us to speak with one of our spring experts.