Six Most Common Spring Wire Material Options

When you select springs, one of the most important considerations you have is the type of material or spring wire type that will be used to make them. Why does the wire type used for your springs matter so much? The wire used for the construction of your springs will have an impact on how well your springs will perform in the application, due to its characteristics.

Spring wire materials are chosen for particular characteristics or features such as corrosion, water resistance, and or strength. In most cases, springs are made from one of six wire materials:

• Stainless Steel – Cold drawn general purpose wire. Features include corrosion and heat resistance.
• Music Wire – Highest quality cold drawn, high carbon wire. High strength and features a good surface finish.
• Hard Drawn MB – Cold drawn wire for average stress applications. Medium strength and low cost.
• Oil Tempered – Wire is cold drawn and heat treated before fabrication. Good general purpose spring wire for torsion springs and springs that require a large wire diameter.
• Brass – Not used as commonly due to cost. Tends to tarnish and change color over time. Features good corrosion and water resistance.
• Phosphor Bronze – Not used as commonly due to cost. Cold drawn, featuring good corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity.

Gaining an understanding of wire types will enable you to select the right spring material type to offer the best performance for your particular application. The spring experts at W.B. Jones are here to assist you with spring wire material selection, from choosing the best characteristics for your project, to identifying a currently used spring type. Contact us to discuss your needs.