For further information click here
Please don’t hesitate to contact our expert team on 01435 866011 for further innovative engineering solutions.
TFC Talks Smalley: Engineering Excellence Unveiled
Simon Ward
Simon Ward
Simon leads the UK technical team and specialises in the design and development of Smalley wave springs and spiral retaining rings. With over 25 years of experience, Simon develops bespoke parts for major clients around the world and across a wide range of industry sectors. He is now widely considered the leading authority on Smalley products.
~Answering your questions on cycle life and material selection for Wave Springs~
Welcome back to our ‘Smalley Talk’ engineering blog. This week, we answer your cycle life and material selection questions.
Our application requires the spring to cycle. Can you provide fatigue data for your wave springs?
Yes, we can calculate the theoretical cycle life for our wave springs. Springs for dynamic applications will normally be designed specifically for the intended task as there are several design factors that are the key to determining the cycle life. Please note that theoretical cycle life estimates are just that estimates, we can validate this by actually testing parts in our cycle test machine, but ultimately the part must be tested in the application as only there will all of the operational factors be taken into account. If you are using the parts in a dynamic application please speak to one of our experts first, so we can work with you to optimise the design and performance.
Can you make springs from Inconel and other similar exotic materials?
Yes, we can design and manufacture wave springs in a variety of alloys, including various grades of stainless steel, beryllium copper, several different Inconel’s and other exotic materials. Remember that it is always best to choose a material based on the requirements of the application and the environment where the springs have to function. We stock standard springs in carbon steel and 17-7 stainless steel, but these may not suit corrosive or higher temperature applications.
Inconel’s are a group of nickel-chromium superalloys that are very well suited for use in extreme environments. We use X750, 718 and 625 depending on the application requirements. These materials are regularly specified within the Oil & Gas sector and within the Aerospace industry due to their excellent performance. If your spring is not intended for use in high temperature or aggressive environments, there are several less exotic, and less expensive, materials which may be better for you.
The most common materials that we work with can be found in our catalogue