What metal is best for making springs?

Spring machine

Choosing the right metal for springs depends on the application requirements – how much force will it withstand? Will it rust? Will the working environment be hot? Does it need to conduct electricity? Here are the characteristics of commonly used materials:

1. Champion: Spring Steel – Strong and Affordable

High-Carbon Steel:

The most common type of spring wire. High carbon content, like a bodybuilder's strong muscles, results in great strength (good elasticity). Its disadvantage is that it rusts easily, generally requiring galvanizing or oiling for protection. It's commonly used in car shock absorbers and thick springs in mattresses.

Music Wire/Piano Wire:

The "special forces" of spring steel. Also high carbon, but with fewer impurities, a more uniform texture, and top-notch elasticity and fatigue resistance. Used for important small springs in precision instruments and small appliances (such as motor brush springs), and also in guitar strings.

Chrome Vanadium/Chrome Silicon Steel:

An upgraded version of spring steel with added chromium, vanadium, or silicon. Strength comparable to piano wire, more impact-resistant, more fatigue-resistant, and slightly heat-resistant. Commonly used in automotive engine valve springs and retaining rings for important tools (such as wrenches).

2. Rust-resistant expert: Stainless steel – resistant to moisture and easy to maintain.

304 Stainless Steel:

The most common stainless steel spring material. Excellent rust resistance (suitable for kitchen and bathroom environments), corrosion resistant, and moderately priced. Used for springs in everyday items (faucet valve cores, kitchen utensil clips) and industrial springs that don't require excessive strength.

316 Stainless Steel:

A higher-grade "marine-grade" rust-resistant material than 304. Particularly resistant to salt water and chemical corrosion. Used for springs in coastal equipment, medical devices, and chemical equipment.

17-7PH / 301 Stainless Steel:

This type of stainless steel, through special treatment (solution + aging), can become both hard and elastic, approaching the level of spring steel, without rusting. Used in high-requirement and rust-sensitive applications (precision instruments, aircraft parts).

3. Conductivity Experts: Copper Alloys - Must be conductive, non-magnetic, and non-sparking.

Phosphor Bronze:

Copper + Tin + Phosphorus. Good conductivity, high elasticity, exceptional fatigue resistance, and corrosion resistance. Commonly used in electrical switch contact springs, connector pins, and precision instruments.

Beryllium Copper:

The "King of Springs" among copper alloys. After heat treatment, it has an extremely high elastic limit (extremely strong), good electrical and thermal conductivity, is completely non-sparking, and corrosion resistant. The downside is its higher price. Used in environments where sparks and explosions are a concern (oil and mining tools), for electronic contacts requiring extremely high reliability, and for high-end connectors.

Brass: Copper + Zinc.

 Good conductivity, inexpensive, and easy to process, but its elasticity and fatigue resistance are not as good as phosphor bronze and beryllium copper. Suitable for small conductive springs or decorative springs with lower requirements (such as those in ballpoint pens).

4. Heat-Resistant Heroes: High-Temperature Alloys - Capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and even inside engines.

Inconel/Hastelloy:

Nickel-based "supermetals." Extremely resistant to high temperatures and corrosion, maintaining their strength even at high temperatures. Used in high-temperature, high-pressure applications such as jet engine blade springs, rockets, and nuclear power plants, they are extremely expensive.