Spring Sheet Metal: CNC Machining & Applications

As you know, automotive and industrial suspension are the common uses of spring steel. These steels have very high yield strength which helps them to return to their original shape. Spring sheet metal is a sheet or plate form of spring steel and used to manufacturing mechanical components. This article will give you deep insight into spring sheet metal.

What Is Spring Sheet Metal?

Spring sheet metal is a specialized and flat-rolled steel alloy. It is designed for high yield strength and extreme elasticity. Spring steel sheet has ability to return to its original shape after significant bending, twisting, or deformation.

Is Spring Sheet Metal the Same as Spring Steel?

Yes, spring sheet metal is a certain form of spring steel. Spring steel is used for broad category of alloys. While spring steel sheet refers to the flattened and rolled product. These terms are used interchangeably when materials are utilized for flat springs, clips, and washers.

Is Spring Sheet Metal Common Material for Manufacturing

Yes, spring sheets are very common and essential material in manufacturing. It is used for parts that need resilience like for automotive, aerospace, electronics, and construction industries. If you need more information about the composition and properties of spring sheet metal for your next project, this article will guide you in selecting better spring sheet metal.

Advantages of Spring Sheet Metal

Spring steel sheet metal when transformed into sheets and plates provides a unique balance of properties like strength, formability and other characteristics that are perfect for constant and repetitive motion without failure.

Excellent Elasticity

Elasticity is needed when repeated deformation occurs and returns to its original shape. High elastic limit can handle high loading stress without permanent deformation. Spring steel plates and sheet can survive millions of loadings and unloading cycles.

Excellent Machinability

Spring steel plates are hard but is remarkably machinable and provide formability. Flat spring material can easily be cut, stamped, or formed into complex or intricate geometry for custom machining.

Good Accuracy Control

Spring steel plates and sheets are manufactured to offer high dimensional accuracy. This feature is ideal for high precision cutting because they have dimensional stability under high loads and elevated temperatures.

Can CNC machine Spring Sheet Metal?

Yes, spring sheet metal can be machined using CNC milling. It is used for producing flat springs, washers, shims, and custom brackets with high precision. It is a common materials used for CNC profiling and CNC milling. It is important to note that different from spring steel sheet metal, spring steel is not common for CNC machining, but for making traditional helical springs.

Challenge for CNC Machining Spring Sheet Metal

As we know, spring sheet metal has high strength and elasticity, but it also has challenges during CNC machining.

Tool wear

Spring steel sheet material has high hardness which makes it highly abrasive to cutting tools. this causes carbide tools to wear down faster than machining other steels. Lower cutting speeds, higher feed rates, and very sharp tools can minimize tool wear.

Thermal distortion

Hardened and tempered spring steel sheets generate more heat during machining. This causes local overheating and if any change occurs to temper of the steel, leading to soft spots. Proper cooling can dissipate heat and prevent thermal deformation.

Difficult clamping of thin sheets

Spring sheet metal is often thin and is susceptible to vibration and bending during milling. This leads to poor surface finish and dimensional errors. Use of standard vice clamps can warp the sheet.

Typical Grades of Spring Steel Metal

Spring steel is a specialized category of low-alloy manganese. These are medium-carbon or high-carbon steel, characterized by very high yield strength. Some materials like music wire (ASTM A228) are used for coiled springs and alloy steels (55Cr3) are frequently used for precision parts, flat springs, and washers produced by CNC milling. You can find details about the compositions and properties of these spring steel in the following content.

AISI 1074 /1075 Spring Steel

These are high-carbon steels and are commonly referred to as "blue tempered" or "scaleless" spring steel. They have excellent elasticity, toughness, and fatigue resistance. AISI 1074 and 1075 spring steels are ideal for precision flat springs, clips, washers, and wear strips.

55Cr3 Steel

55Cr3 is chromium-alloyed spring steel. It is widely used in Europe and internationally for heavy-duty applications. This spring steel has higher hardenability and fatigue resistance than non-alloyed carbon steel.

17-7ph Stainless Steel

17-7PH is a precipitation-hardening stainless steel. It has high strength of carbon spring steel combined with the corrosion resistance of 18-8 stainless steel. It can retain high elasticity at higher temperatures. This spring steel is best used in aerospace, medical instruments, and precision electronic connectors.

What Is Spring Sheet Metal Used for?

Spring sheet metal is processed to make parts that have ability to withstand repetitive stress without permanently deformation. These are parts are used in high-stress applications and are explained as:

Spring Washer

Spring washers can maintain tension in bolted joints. These are designed to prevent loosening due to vibration or thermal expansion. Spring washers are used in automotive, aerospace and electrical or electronics industries.

Spring Clips

Spring clips include Terry clips, S-clips, and U-clips. These are flexible fasteners that secure, clamp, or hold objects together using tension. Spring clips have quick assembly and high-vibration resistance. These are used in automotive, electronics and manufacturing industries.

Spring Retainer Plates

Spring retainer plates are flat or shaped spring steel. They can hold other parts like bearings or springs) in place with managing axial load. Spring retainer plates are used in machinery and industries and for automotive transmission.

Scraper Blade

Scraper blades made from spring steel sheet metal have high abrasion resistance and flexibility. They can clean surfaces without scratching or breaking. Scraper blades are used in industrial machinery, agriculture, construction and in consumer goods.

Conclusion

CNC machining of spring steel sheet metal creates parts with high precision for like vehicles (suspension) and machinery. These complex designs with CNC provide accuracy and automation in both forms, from small springs to large chassis. Tuofa professional CNC service provides precision and complex shapes with applications covering automotive, aerospace, appliances, and construction.

FAQ

How to make spring steel sheets?

Spring steel sheet are formed from hot rolling into strips or sheets. These are then heat treated, quenching in oil or water or tempered to attain high strength, resilience, and flexibility, often after cold working.

Can you stamp spring steel?

Yes, you can stamp spring steel. It is mostly done for making flexible and durable parts like clips, fasteners, and actual springs.

Is 4140 a spring steel?

Yes, 4140 is a type of alloy steel and used for making high-performance springs. These are used in automotive and industrial applications.

What is spring back effect in sheet metal?

Springback in spring steel sheet metal is the ability in material to partially return to its original shape after bending forces are removed. This is caused by its inherent elasticity.