Compression Spring Constant When determining a spring constant there are 2 different formulas you can use depending

which information you have available to you. The first formula is the one most commonly used when you know the dimensions on your spring but do not know your load and distance traveled on the spring. Compression Spring Constant k = Gd^4 / 8D^3N Explanation of Symbols: d = wire size (inches) D = Mean Diameter (inches) N = Number of active coils D / d = Index correction G = Shear Modulus of Material k = Spring Constant G-Value for Common Spring Materials Music Wire = 11.5 x 10^6 Stainless Steel = 11.2 x 10^6 Phospher Bronze = 5.9 x 10^6 Monel = 9.6 x 10^6 Inconel = 11.5 x 10^6 Copper = 6.5 x 10^6 Beryllium Copper = 6.9 x 10^6 Example of Calculating the Compression Spring Constant d = 0.035 inches OD = 0.500 inches D = 0.465 inches N=8 Wire Type = Music Wire G = 11.5 x 10^6 psi FL = 1.000 inches k = Gd^4 / 8D^3N k = (11.5 x 10^6) (0.035)^4) / 8 (0.465)^3 (8) k = 17.2571875 / 6.434856 k = 2.68 lbs / inch The other way to calculate the compression spring constant on your spring is if you know the load you want to achieve at a certain distance traveled. The formula to figure out your spring constant from a known load and distance traveled is Rate = Load / Distance Traveled For Example: Load = 10 pounds Travel = 4 inches Rate = 10 lbs / 4 inches Rate = 2.5 pounds / inch Extension Spring Constant Calculating your extension spring constant uses the same formula as the compression spring constant calculation. Make sure when measure your extension spring you have the correct measurement for each value. For more information on this please visit our spring measurement and specifications page.

Extension Spring Constant k = Gd^4 / 8D^3N Explanation of Symbols: d = wire size (inches) D = Mean Diameter (inches) N = Number of active coils D / d = Index correction G = Shear Modulus of Material k = Spring Constant G-Value for Common Spring Materials Music Wire = 11.5 x 10^6 Stainless Steel = 11.2 x 10^6 Phospher Bronze = 5.9 x 10^6 Monel = 9.6 x 10^6 Inconel = 11.5 x 10^6 Copper = 6.5 x 10^6 Beryllium Copper = 6.9 x 10^6

Example of Calculating the Extension Spring Constant d = 0.044 inches OD = 0.425 inches D = 0.381 inches N=5 Wire Type = Music Wire G = 11.5 x 10^6 psi FL = 1.250 inches k = Gd^4 / 8D^3N k = (11.5 x 10^6) (0.044)^4) / 8 (0.381)^3 (5) k = 43.103104 / 2.21225364 k = 19.472 lbs / inch The other way to calculate the extension spring constant on your spring is if you know the load you want to achieve at a certain distance traveled. The formula to figure out your spring constant from a known load and distance traveled is Rate = Load / Distance Traveled For Example: Load = 2 pounds Travel = 0.25 inches Rate = 2 lbs / 0.25 inches Rate = 8 pounds / inch Torsion Spring Constant: Calculating torsion spring constant is a little different than calculating the spring constant for compression or extension springs. Since a torsion spring travels in degrees and not linearly it needs a different formula. Below you can see the formula for torsion spring constant and an example of how the formula works. Rate Per 360 Degrees (R) = Ed^4 / 10.8 DN

Explanation of Symbols: d = wire size (inches) D = Mean Diameter (inches) N = Number of active coils R = Rate per 360 degrees S = Stress (lbs / square in) P = Load (lbs) M = Moment (inch-lbs) D / d = Index correction Modulus of Elasticity "E" for common spring wires. PSI x 10^6 Music Wire = 30 psi Stainless Steel = 28 psi Chrome Vanadium = 30 psi Chrome Silicon = 30 psi Phosphor Bronze = 15 psi Torsion Spring Rate Calculation Example: Formula: Rate Per 360 degrees = Ed^4 / 10.8 DN Spring Parameters d = 0.035 inches OD = 0.500 inches D = 0.465 inches N = 3 coils Wire Type = Music Wire E For Music Wire = 30 x 10^6

Example: Rate Per 360 Degrees = (30 x 10^6) (0.035^4) / 10.8 (0.465)(3) Rate Per 360 Degrees = 45.01875 / 15.066 Rate Per 360 Degrees = 2.988 pounds / 360 degrees To determine your rate per degree divide the above answer by 360 Rate Per Degree = Rate Per 360 Degrees / 360 Rate Per Degree = 2.988 / 360 Rate Per Degree = 0.0083 pounds / degree