When it comes to stainless steel springs, how long can you expect them to last? If your spring broke suddenly, you might wonder about this. You may think a spring will always return to its original shape as long as it’s never stretched too far. However, many factors affect spring life. Let’s have a closer look at them.
Spring design
Is their design suitable for the purpose for which they were intended? Most aren’t, and spring design errors are the primary cause of premature spring failure. Consider what you will use the spring for and how you will use it before choosing one. What matters more, spring strength or spring elasticity? Experts can provide guidance if you are not sure. At Arrow Manufacturing Co., we manufacture springs customized to your needs that can last longer as compared to average springs. To get a quote, get in touch with us.
Material quality in manufacturing
Material quality and modulus of elasticity play an important role in determining the life of a spring. It is also essential to consider how well-spring wires are fabricated when assessing spring life. Spring performance can be impeded by lower-quality wires with surface or internal defects, which reduce spring fatigue strength and increase breakage risks.
When springs are developed from high-grade materials, their performance will be enhanced, and their life will be extended. Furthermore, spring materials need to be selected according to the application. For example, when it comes to low-stress applications, hard-drawn wire is the most commonly used, whereas when it comes to high-stress applications, music wire is the most commonly used. A cheaper alternative to music wire is hard drawn, which is a good option if you don’t need high strength.
Custom spring designs are necessary for many applications to achieve optimal spring life. When you choose the right spring supplier, you can evaluate your process and determine the most cost-efficient design.
Environmental conditions and applied stress
The spring can break if it is subjected to more force than it was designed to handle. The extension spring can be irreparably damaged if it is extended too far. Keeping oil-tempered spring deflection to a maximum of 25% of their total length will prolong their life.
Let’s take a look at garage door springs as an example of torsion springs in action. The spring wire bends every time the garage door opens and closes, which leads to the garage door springs breaking. If they are installed at the same time, they will typically wear out at the same rate, and they will break within six months of each other.
On average, these springs last about five years, based on the industry standard. Spring wire can be increased by several sizes, and you can purchase extra long-life springs that will last for over 100,000 cycles.
Here is spring’s life expectancy on average:
- Standard Cycle Springs: 10,000 cycles
- High Cycle Springs: 25,000 cycles
- Highest Cycle Springs: 50,000 cycles
How to Extend The Life of Your Springs
Spring life can only be extended through maintenance. Constant lubrication of your springs is essential, but make sure the lubricant you choose does not harm or eat away at the metal.
It is also usually necessary to re-balance springs every couple of years. Re-balancing the springs will prevent tension issues as the springs become broken in. Spring breaks rarely occur within a year of installation. However, it is possible that the springs broke because they were old, defective, or improperly installed. Choose a reputable company that offers a warranty for their springs and is ISO certified.
Arrow Manufacturing is a spring manufacturer based in Bristol, and the quality of our springs is unmatched. Our springs last longer than average. For more information, you can check out our website or contact us.
