Materials
This page will briefly introduce the various materials from which our products are manufactured, and the various procurement policies we have in place.
Conflict Minerals
The four most commonly mined conflict minerals (known as 3TGs, from their initials) are cassiterite (for tin), wolframite (for tungsten), coltan (for tantalum), and gold ore, and extracted in a conflict zone and sold to perpetuate the fighting. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and adjoining countries within the sub-Saharan region are the key focus of UN efforts to control conflict minerals.
Reliable Pressings Policy
As South Africans we are probably more aware than most of the impact this source of funding has on prolonging conflict and the suffering and destruction that help to trap Africa in a seemingly never ending cycle of poverty.
The U.S. was the first to promulgate legislation, and the Dodd-Frank Act, containing the the Conflict Minerals Rule, and should we manufacture or contract to manufacture any products that contain conflict minerals we will conduct a Reasonable Country of Origin Inquiry (RCOI) on the origin of the source and chain of custody of the applicable conflict minerals.
DFARS
The Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement
This is U.S. preferential procurement legislation “…to provide a preferential treatment for domestic sources of non-manufactured articles, manufactured goods, and construction materials ...“ This protectionist policy of the United States is a response to threats of espionage, sabotage and terrorism. It states (amoungst lots of other things!) that any specialty metal must have had the metals used to produce them melted in a qualifying country, which include: Australia, Japan , Austria, Latvia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Egypt, Portugal, Estonia, Slovenia, Finland, Spain, France, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey,Israel, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Italy and the United States The Official DFARS website contains everything you may wish to research.
Default Materials
65Mn (1.1211): This spring steel is a quality steel according to DIN EN 10132-4. We use this spring steel exclusively for our Conical Wedge Lock Umlung® safety washers and DIN 6796 Belleville Load Washers for static bolted connections.
SAE 1075 / C75S /(1.1248): These stainless steel grades according to DIN EN 10132-4 are used as cold rolled strip for disc springs of group 1 according to DIN EN 16983 up to a thickness of t less than 1.25 mm and for our disc springs of the “K” series.
SAE 6150 / 51CrV4 /(1.8159): This chromium-vanadium alloyed stainless steel is used in rolled condition (according to DIN 10132-4 or acc. to DIN 10089) for disc springs with a thickness between 1.25 mm to 6 mm. Normally this stainless steel is processed in forged form for disk thicknesses of more than 6 mm.
Corrosion-resistant materials
X10 CrNi 18-8 (1.4310): This chromium-nickel alloyed steel according to DIN EN 10151 is the most commonly used material for disc springs up to a thickness of t = 3.0 mm. Unfortunately, the cold forming process makes in magnetic.
X7 CrNiAl 17-7 (1.4568): This steel alloy according to DIN EN 10151 is a precipitation- hardened spring steel which is processed in cold-strained condition up to a thickness of approx. 2.5 mm. The cold forming process makes this material magnetic.
X5 CrNiMo 17-12-2 (1.4401): With this steel according to DIN EN 10151, the strength is somewhat less than that of the previous two. However, it offers higher corrosion resistance and lower magnetism. Small amounts of this material are hard to procure, and it is thus rarely used.
High-temperature materials
X22 CrMoV 12-1 (1.4923): This chromium-molybdenum-vanadium steel according to DIN EN 10269 that can be quenched and tempered has proved very well for the use of heat-resistant disc springs.
X39 CrMo 17-1 (1.4122): This is a chromium-molybdenum alloyed steel according to DIN EN 10088-2 that can be quenched and tempered. This material grade has also proved very well for the use of heat resistant disc springs.
Heat-resistant special materials with a very good corrosion resistance
As these material grades are often used under extreme operational conditions, a potential creeping under load might lead to a loss of installation height/loss of force of the disc spring. This creeping is a function of temperature, time and tension. A disc spring can be used at higher temperatures, for example, when either a low load is chosen or the exposure time is accordingly short. Thus a maximum working temperature cannot be stated. The values stated in the material grade overview table can therefore serve as a guiding value only.
NiCr15Fe7TiAl (INCONEL X 750) (2.4669) and NiCr 19NbMo (INCONEL 718) (2.4668): These nickel-chromium alloys are virtually cobalt-free and for this reason they are often used in nuclear reactor technology.
Anti-magnetic and corrosion-resistant materials
CuSn 8 (2.1030): Tin bronze according to DIN EN 1654 is an alloy consisting of copper and tin, maintaining its spring characteristics due to cold forming. Please bear in mind that the strength values and the spring forces resulting from it are considerably lower than with the standard material.
CuBe 2 (2.1247): Copper-beryllium according to DIN EN 1654 is an excellent spring material grade which is suitable for extremely low temperatures up to the vicinity of the absolute zero point. These copper alloys are absolutely anti-magnetic, and they have a very good electric conductivity. Furthermore they show a high corrosion resistance against many media.
| Category | Popular Names | Application | Elements as a % composition of total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Si | Mn | P | S | Cr | Mo | V | Ni | |||
| Unalloyed Carbon Steel | C55S, 1.1204, CS50, CK55,SAE1055 | Spring steel with low hardening capacity designed for lightweight springs and springs, washers and spring elements, small tool blades, small dimensions equipment with carbon range of approx. 0.55% for heat improvement, patenting or cold deformation. | 0.52-0.62 | 0.15-0.35 | 0.60-0.90 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.40 | 0.10 | - | 0.40 |
| Unalloyed Carbon Steel | C60S, CK60, 1.1211, GOST 21996, DIN 17222, SAE1060. | Alloy CS60S is a special spring steel with reduced sulphur and phosphorus content, used for wear-resistant, heavy-duty parts like axles, rollers, spindles, spring rings and flat springs up to 6mm thick.Toughening steel. Annealed, it is easy to machine. | 0.57-0.65 | 0.15-0.35 | 0.60-0.90 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.40 | 0.10 | - | 0.40 |
| Unalloyed Carbon Steel | C67S, 1.1231, XC68, AISI 1065 | C67S steel is non-weldable, prone to decarburization and oxidation during heat treatment, and is not resistant to atmospheric corrosion. Structural steel with low hardening capacity designed for less loaded springs, periodically working for oil hardening and surface hardening with dimensions up to 10mm.Used as steel for valve springs, coupling springs, shock absorbers, tool steel for i.e. hammers, punches, rakes, chisels, flat springs, adjustable steel washers, and other spring elements. |
0.65-0.73 | 0.15-0.35 | 0.60-0.90 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.40 | 0.10 | - | 0.40 |
| Unalloyed Carbon Steel | 75S, 1.1248, AISI 1075, XC70 | low hardening capacity for lightweight springs for oil hardening. It is characterized by resistance to abrasion and high strength. Used for low-loaded springs and springs, spring parts, clock springs, saws for cutting stones in the form of tapes and sheets. As a constructional steel, it is used for medium-weight machine parts such as bolts and bucket links, rolls, molding boards, agricultural machinery parts, press plates and ball mills, press rods, and briquette presses. Non-weldable steel, resistant to temper embrittlement |
0.70-0.80 | 0.15-0.35 | 0.40-0.70 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.40 | 0.10 | - | 0.40 |
| Unalloyed Carbon Steel | C85S, 1.1269, XC85, AISI 1086 | low hardening capacity for oil hardening for low-duty, periodically operating springs, springs and spring elements, immune to the temper brittleness. It is characterized by its high hardness and abrasion resistance, while maintaining high strength. It is used for flat and spiral springs, machine parts or saws of all kinds for cutting.Grade 85 and C85S steel are mainly used as steel for ball mills, press plates, stone saws, wire for steel ropes, briquetting press parts. C85S and 85 steels are non-weldable and resistant to corrosive environments due to their high carbon content and low levels of alloying additives. | 0.80-0.90 | 0.40-0.70 | 0.15-0.35 | <0.025 | <0.025 | <0.40 | <0.10 | <0.40 | |
| Unalloyed Carbon Steel | C90S, 1.1217, 95Cr1, 1.2018 | oil hardening for springs and working periodically springs with small dimensions. Provided in the form of a spring tapes - C90S is characterized by high abrasion resistance and high strength. In addition to the use for springs, it is also designed for wood and stone saws, knives and machine scissors, spring washers, cutting elements and cutting tools. After the treatment shows the structure of tempered martensite. | 0.85-0.95 | 0.40-0.70 | 0.15-0.30 | <0.025 | <0.025 | <0.40 | |||
| Unalloyed Carbon Steel | C100S, 1.1274, AISI 1095, | Steel used for spring washers, spring elements, feeler gauges, and other loaded parts requiring high elasticity and tensile strength. available in strips and thin cold-rolled sheets used for springs and leaf springs with small cross-sections. It is characterized by low hardenability, abrasion resistance and decarburization and oxidation tendency during heat treatment.C100S steel products and its equivalents do not show resistance to atmospheric corrosion |
|||||||||
| Unalloyed Carbon Steel | C125S, 1.1224, XC125 | used for leaf springs and springs with small cross-sections. It is characterized by low hardenability and high carbon range in relation to C90S, C75S, C85S, and C67S steel. Designed for spring elements requiring high elasticity and hardness. It does not show corrosion resistance,Poorly carried out treatment is associated with reduced fatigue strength. |
|||||||||
| Alloy Spring Steel | 46SiCrMo6, 1.8062, 45SCD6 ACCORDING TO EN 10089, AF NF A35-571. | This is a silicon spring steel with the addition of chromium and molybdenum showing resistance to torsion, deformation and load, impact and abrasion. It is mainly used in the automotive and machine industry for springs, spring elements such as stabilizers, rods and leaf springs. | |||||||||
| Manganese Alloy Spring Steel (Structural Steel) | 65G, 65Mn, 65Mn4, 66Mn4, 1.1240, 1.1260 | Steel for leaf springs and springs with low hardenability requiring increased resistance to abrasion for rings, valve springs, flat, coils and spring washers with small cross-sections and loads. Steel for hardening in oil insensitive to temper brittleness. Steel does not show resistance to corrosive environments. | |||||||||
| Manganese-Chromium Alloy Spring Steel | 54SICR6, 1.7102, 60SICR8, 60MNSICR4, 1.2826 | Steel with high hardening capacity, strength, and high ductility for springs and the heavy-duty spring elements and subject to impacts. Steel for railway engineering used in rolling stock for i.e. bumper rings of railway wagons.Grade can operate at temperatures up to 300 ℃. It has additional applications as steel for valve springs, torsional shafts, spring rings. Steel is non-welding grade and does not exhibit corrosion resistance, including atmospheric resistance. | |||||||||
| Alloy spring steel. | 52SiCrNi5, 1.7117, 52SCN5 | Applied for statically loaded, small and medium-size springs.The material is a better alternative to the grade 51CrV4 / 1.8159 | |||||||||
| Chromium Vanadium Spring Steel Alloy | SAE/AISI 6150, 51CrV4/1.8159, 58CrV4/1.8161 59CrV4/1.2242 | structural alloys used in the engineering industry for heavy-duty spring components and oil hardened springs. The steel, unlike other carbon and alloy grades, is characterized by high hardness, low vulnerability to tempering, resistance for variable and heavy loads, and the ability to operate at elevated temperatures up to 300 ℃. Surface-hardened, retains excellent strength properties of the core while maintaining sufficient surface hardness. |
0.47-0.55 | 0.15-0.35 | 0.70-0.11 | <0.035 | <0.035 | 0.90-1.12 | - | 0.10-0.25 | |
| Manganese Alloy Spring Steel | 54SiCr6, 1.7102, 60SiCr8, 60MnSiCr4, 1.2826 | Steel with high hardening capacity, strength, and high ductility for springs and the heavy-duty spring elements and subject to impacts. Steel for railway engineering used in rolling stock for i.e. bumper rings of railway wagons.Grade can operate at temperatures up to 300 ℃. It has additional applications as steel for valve springs, torsional shafts, spring rings. Steel is non-welding grade and does not exhibit corrosion resistance, including atmospheric resistance. | |||||||||
| Silicon Alloy Spring Steel | 56Si7, 55Si7, 1.5025, 1.5026 | Silicon spring steel is one of the most popular, simple, basic and at the same time the longest used grades in the production of spring elements and springs in the automotive industry and railroading.Silicon steels are characterized by high strength properties, low ductility, resilience, susceptibility to decarburization, resistance to medium loads, low hardenability, and difficult welding.55S2, 50S2, 40S2 steels, as well as replacements EN/DIN 56Si7, 50Si7, 46Si7 have similar concentrations of alloy additives - including Silicon, which is responsible for the resilience of steel. Differences in grades result from the concentration of carbon, responsible for obtaining the appropriate hardness after heat treatment. | |||||||||
| Chromium Molybdenum Vanadium Alloyed Spring Steel | 58CrMoV4, F-1460, 52CrMoV4, 51CDV4, 51CrMoV4 1.7701, AISI 4150 - UNS G41500 | Spring steel for quenching in oil, hard, ductile and hardenable. Used for all types of springs in the automotive industry with high strength requirements, including shock absorber springs, sealing rings and valve springs.The strength and hardenability of 52CrMoV4 steel is strengthened not only by chromium and vanadium - as in the case of 51CrV4 / AISI 6150, but also by molybdenum. Molybdenum strengthens the solution during heat treatment, while chromium and vanadium form carbides that improve the hardness of the material during tempering. | 0.48-0.56 | 0.15-0.40 | 0,7-1,0 | 0.035 | 0.035 | 0.9-1.2 | 0.15-0.30 | - | - |
| Silicon Alloy spring steel - Approved for use in Aerospace | 46SiCrMo6, 1.8026, 45SCD6 | 46SiCrMo6 is a silicon spring steel with the addition of chromium and molybdenum showing resistance to torsion, deformation and load, impact and abrasion. It is mainly used in the automotive and machine industry for springs, spring elements such as stabilizers, rods and leaf springs. | |||||||||
| Stainless Spring Steel - Approved for use in Aerospace | X10CrNi18-8, 1.4310, AISI 301, AISI 302 | Stainless, non-magnetic spring steel with high carbon content with good ductility. Designed for aerial parts but also components used in the chemical and food industries such as pump parts, acid tanks, or high temperature springs. It is used in the food, fruit and vegetable and chemical industries in nitrogen plants for valves, parts of fittings and pumps, the coal industry and the petrochemical industry. Other applications include distillation boilers, agitators, acid tanks, heat exchangers, absorption towers, and pipelines. It shows very good weldability, where no early heating of the product is required. |
|||||||||