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When mechanical springs are placed in high temperature environments they lose much of their strength and are subject to permanent deformation. This issue is known as spring relaxation, and it’s a valid concern for any manufacturer. In order to avoid having springs lose their load capacity, spring manufacturers must use metals that are designed to operate and maintain their strength in high temperature environments.

Spring Materials: Which Are the Best for High Heat Environments?

Choosing the right material for your spring is essential. Many metal materials are able to withstand temperatures of up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. These are usually mechanical springs that are made out of stainless steel. Some higher grade steel materials can even withstand temperatures of up to 500 degrees. Even though it may appear that stainless steel can withstand very high temperatures at first, relaxation will eventually set it, weakening the spring and severely reducing its maximum load capacity.

If you are looking for a mechanical spring material that is ultra resistant to high temperatures, you should look for springs that are made out of inconel. Inconel is a superalloy that is made up of about 50-70 percent nickel and about 15-30 chromium. Not only are they highly resistant to corrosion, they can also be used in applications that operate in environments whose temperatures go as high as 1600 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can learn more about stainless steel and inconel springs here.

Designing a Spring for High Heat Applications

Whether you are looking for compression, extension or torsion springs for your high heat application, our team of engineers can help you find the right materials that will perform the best, and for the longest time, at your desired temperature. We have worked with companies in many industries and have designed and manufactured springs for high temperature applications such as jet engines, nuclear power plants and many others.

To get started on your spring design, send us a few basic specifications and we’ll send you a free quote on your project. Request a quote today.