BASIC THEORY:

Helical springs made of material to which a Hookes Law applies, have linear characteristic curves. This means that the spring excursion is proportional to the elastic force. In this case, the spring rate, i.e. the elastic force divided by the spring excursion, is constant:

R=F, where S
R: Spring rate in N/mm F: (Elastic) force in N S: Spring excursion in mm The helical spring rate is governed by the wire diameter, the average coil diameter, the number of active coils and of course by a material constant, the modulus of elasticity in shear. The spring rate is thus,

R=Gd4 8. D3m.if
G : Modulus of elasticity D : Wire diameter in mm Dm: Average coil diameter in mm If : Number of active coils

The characteristic curve of a spring becomes steeper with increasing spring hardness (figure 3.2)