spring wire forms

Ever since the first man-made creation, material choice has been one of the most, if not the most, important factor in building a quality tool, product, etc. We can gauge the important of material choice in manufacturing by simply looking back in history; entire periods of time are named after the materials used in manufacturing the most important products of the time. From the Stone Age to the Bronze Age and all the way to the Digital Age (digital technology has indeed become a “material” that can be used in products), civilization has been essentially defined by the materials used in each era’s products.

The Options Have Exponentially Increased

Manufacturers in modern times now have more choices in materials than ever. Experts in the field of materials estimate that there are over 100,000 materials manufacturers can choose between when designing and building a product. And the choices are only increasing as the years go by.

Whether we are talking about something as large as aircraft design or as small as torsion spring design, the material you choose will fundamentally change the quality and abilities of your application. The material you choose affects the function, design specifications, ease of manufacturing and, often the most important, the cost of the product.

This is arguably one of the most complex and important decisions made during the design process. Manufacturers will often consider everything from strength of the material to its corrosion resistance, flexibility, lifespan, recyclability and source location, among many other factors.

Springs Are No Different

It should come as no surprise then the material you choose when designing a custom spring is one of the most important decisions you will have to make. The material you choose, whether that is stainless steel, inconel or one of the many other spring wires available, is entirely dependent on the type of application and the environment it will be used in.

Choosing the right material will give your spring or wire form many new capabilities:

  • Heat resistance
  • Corrosion resistance
  • Flexibility
  • Maximum loads

The choice you make is dependent upon how the springs will be used.

Make the Right Choice

At The Yost Superior Co., we can help you determine which materials will best fit the design of your spring or wire form while taking into consideration the intended application. Our spring experts will help you design that fits your needs, just contact us today to get started.