FAQs

Designing a Wave Spring

for Your Application
I’m already using a wave washer—
why should I use a wave spring instead?
Wave springs can offer force tolerances that are up to 50% tighter
than a standard stamped wave washer. You can also expect more
predictable loading since the spring rate remains relatively linear
over a larger operating range.
when it’s not possible to coil a ticker wire for a given spring size
to accommodate higher forces, wave spring layers can be coiled
in parallel layers together to create a nested wave spring. Another
method might be to increase the number of waves. Finally, changing
the material type might provide the variation you need to handle
the higher stiffness and load capacity.

How are free height, working height, What kind of material or finish
and operating range related? combinations are typically offered?
Wave springs are designed to provide a specified load at a given Wave springs can be made from a wide variety of materials, most
working height. Anything between the uncompressed free height often carbon spring steel and stainless steel. Exotic alloys such as
and fully compressed solid height can be considered the operating Hastelloy, Inconel, and Elgiloy are available to withstand highly
range. To ensure predictable loading, we recommend specifying the corrosive environments as well as high temperatures.
working height to stay between certain operating ranges based on
the style of wave spring: Why is there so much variety?
Wave springs offer superior operation in many applications, from
•M
 ultiturn wave springs typically provide predictable loading aerospace to marine and from oil and gas to medical. The variations
between 20 to 80% deflection in environment and implementation demand that the component
be available for almost any condition.
• Single turn and nested wave springs typically provide predictable
loading between 30 to 70% deflection
Are there temperature or environmental
maximums to be aware of?
How might fatigue rates compare with
As mentioned above, there are wave springs available for almost
traditional coil springs? And life cycle estimates?
every environmental condition you can think of. Because wave
Wave springs exhibit lower fatigue rates than equivalent coil spring
springs can be made from almost any material, even temperatures
designs. When used within their optimum range of deflection—
into the 1,300oF range are possible when using special alloys such
dependent on the characteristics of the wave spring you’ve
as Inconel 718.
selected—these components will last much longer than a traditional
coil spring. Also, wave springs often require half the axial space
to operate. This allows assemblies to save on space and weight,
which are critical factors in measuring fatigue and life expectancies.

How might one design a wave spring

where a higher than normal stiffness
and load capacity is needed?
There are many ways to approach this challenge. Depending on
the application and the environment, you might want to change
the thickness of the wire to compensate for the higher load. And

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Wave Springs seem highly engineered—
don’t they cost more?

Smaller
Not always. Wave springs operate in such a way that
they are superior to coil springs in certain applications
because they provide lower work heights with the

Wave Springs
same force. This not only provides for space savings,
but also smaller assemblies that use less materials,
hence lowering the cost of the assembly as a whole.

Are there online tools that can now from 3mm O.D.
help me select the right wave
spring for my application?
Yes, companies such as Rotor Clip offer a number of
tools that can help you select and size a wave spring
based on key information such as diameter, thickness,
width, and number of turns, as well as working height
and load at working height. You’ll also gain access to
white papers, application examples, design forms, a
technical library, and free samples of in-stock parts
for your evaluation.

What kind of applications

do wave springs thrive in?
Single-turn wave springs provide benefits when used
in bearing preload applications, as connector and fluid
power seals, and noise and vibration attenuation
or an ultrasonic motor, as shown below. Multi-turn
wave springs excel as mechanical seals, in a variety
of power transmission applications, and fluid power
systems whether in industrial equipment, automotive,
medical, aerospace, marine, petrochemical, and other
applications as shown in the bottom image below in
a fluid power quick connect. Made in USA
since 1957

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rotorclip.com • info@rotorclip.com