Specification

2370
Strips of carbon steel, alloy steel and cold
ed.: 1 mod.:..
rolled steel for springs
Page: 1/5
Date: 01 -12 - 2000

Scope
Index
To define the characteristics of carbon steel
and alloy steel (cold rolled strips) in the states 1. Generality................................................2
of annealing, hardening and tempering, to be 2. Characteristics of semi finished
used for the production of elastic organs ( products ......................................................2
springs) like shoulder washers, spring
washers and elastic rings, Belleville washers 3. Characteristics of the finished
and similar and the hardness of such finished parts…………..3
parts subdivided into typology according to 4. Standard indications on the sketch ....3
the brand.

Modification Date Description of the modification

01-12-2000 ed . 1 – New edition.

Date of entry into circulation: 15-01-2001

Author: P.Mariani (signature)
Checked by: A . Mantini (signature)
Approved by: A. Vignoli – E. Cascone (signatures)
List of distribution( codes): 33, 34, 35, 40,41, 59, 66,68, 70, 80, 81, 94, 99, 179, 205, 2, 256,308,
324, 352,370,375, 376.
 Specification 2370 Pagina: 2 / 5
1. Generality
The springs and in general, the elastic
organs obtained from the strip of spring steel
, object of the present specification, are
components which show a capacity of high
elastic deformation/strain in cold and
specific behavior with respect to fatigue life
on repeated stress.
2. Characteristics of semi-finished products
The characteristics of materials in the semi-
finished state are obtained from additions
and modifications from UNI 7064.
2.1 Superficial aspect and finish
The surface of the strip has to be uniform and
smooth, free from laps (nicks), splits, grooves,
flaking, markings, oxidation and every other
defect that may compromise the resistance of
the material.
The examination of the surface has to be done
visually, eventually with the help of a lens,
with penetrating liquids, with magnetic
methods (metalloscopy) or with other apparatus
and techniques suited to highlight eventual
defects, whatever their orientation.
The surface appears to be of white in colour in
case of annealed strips (annealing in protective
atmosphere).
For the hardened and tempered strips,
according to the type of thermal treatment and
the temperature of tempering, the colour may
vary from grey to a shiny white, from blue to
yellow (or golden).
The finishing of the borders may be of the type
sheared (trimmed), deburred or rounded and
has to be defined in the order keeping in mind
that the cost of finishing increases from the
sheared border to the rounded border.
2.2 Superficial decarbonization
In the material in the state of hardened &
tempered , no zone of total decarbonization is
permitted.
Modification: Ed.:1
The maximum partial decarbonization tolerable
has to be ≤ 1.5% of the nominal thickness of
the strip and in any case, ≤ 0.04mm.
The decarbonization control has to be carried
out according to UNI 4839.
2.3. Chemical composition
See table 1 on page 4.
2.4.Structural characteristics
Annealed strips: uniform fine grained pearlitic
ferritic structure. Even structures derived from
globulizzazione (spheroidal??)
Hardened & Tempered strips: martensite
sorbite tempered structure.
2.5. Internal defects
Internal defects like porosity, die mark,
segregation or other type of discontinuity of the
steel of dimension >2mm are not allowed
which are harmful for the mechanical working,
heat treatments, the assembly and the end use
of the finished product.
The above evaluation has to be carried out with
appropriate non-destructive techniques (for
example ultrasound).
The examination of the typology and of the
dimensions of the defect is carried out on a
metallographic sample of sections of the semi-
finished product.
2.6 Non metallic inclusions
The non- metallic inclusions are a sign of the
grade of purity of the steel.
They are determined according to what has
been described in the specifications UNI 3244
(Method K of the images type)
Following are the limits of acceptability:
 Specification 2370 Pagina: 3 / 5 Modification: Ed.:1

K2 ≤ 35 (only oxides) dimensions are still within the allowances

prescribed in the design.
K2 ≤ 45 (oxides and sulphides)

4. Standard indications in the sketch/design

2.7 Mechanical characteristics
One has to specify:
See table 2 on page 4.
- The mark of Piaggio
- Hardness
3. Characteristics of finished parts
- Any distension treatment (point 3.2)
- Reference to this specification
3.1 Characteristics of the materials
The characteristics of the materials prescribed
in points 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6 for the Example:
semi finished products are valid in the same C 72/Bon HRC 43-52 Dist.
manner for the finished parts.
Specification 2370
If such parts are in the annealed state, the limit
of hardness is that as indicated in table 2 for the
semi finished products. Specifications cited
In table 3 on page 5 the Rockwell hardness 2700,
gaps/space are mentioned for every typology of
springs supplied in the hardened & tempered UNI 1751:88, UNI 1753:88
state. UNI 3244:80, UNI 4839:73, UNI 7064:82
UNI 7434-75, UNI 7435-75, UNI 7436-75
3.2 Production process UNI 7437- 75, UNI 7438-75, UNI 8736:85
The parts obtained from the hardened and UNI 8737:85, UNI 8836:85, UNI 8837:85
tempered strip may be subjected to, after
UNI 8840: 85, UNI 8841: 85, UNI 8842: 85
moulding, to a stress-relieving treatment at
230-280 °C for at least 30 mins per system. UNI 9192:88, UNI 9195:88,
In the process of pr oduction, it may be DIN 127, DIN 128, DIN 137, DIN 471, DIN
necessary to obtain the piece from the annealed 472,
strip and to carry out the hardening and DIN 2093, DIN 6796, DIN 6798, DIN 6799,
tempering after forming. DIN 7980.
Under the same mechanical resistance, the
parts obtained thus will have a fatigue limit and
an elasticity limit lower than that obtainable
using a hardened and tempered strip.

3.3 Fatigue strength/Endurance strength

The springs have to pass, without breaking, the
test for fatigue strength prescribed by the
relevant designs. After the execution of the test,
a variation in dimension of the spring in free
condition is acceptable, provided that such
 Specification 2370 Pagina: 4 / 5 Modification: Ed.:1

TABLE 1 – Chemical composition ( % in mass on the casting)

Piaggio’s Previous C Mn Si Cr V P S
mark Piaggio’s
mark
C 55 M6 0.52–0.60 0.6 – 0.9 0.15 – 0.4 ---- ---- = 0.035 = 0.035
C 72 M4 0.65–0.80 0.60–0.90 0.15 – 0.4 ---- ---- = 0.035 = 0.035
C 85 --- 0.81 – 0.92 0.40 – 0.65 0.15 – 0.4 ---- ---- = 0.035 = 0.035
50 CrV4 --- 0.48-0.55 0.70-1.00 0.15-0.40 0.80-1.20 0.10-0.20 = 0.035 = 0.035

TABLE 2 – Mechanical characteristics

Piaggio’s mark Type of Rm Hardness Directions for use

semifinished
N/mm² (1)
product and the
state of the (3) (4)
material
C 55 / R Annealed Strip = 570 = HRB 85 when the molding
C 72 / R Annealed Strip = 590 = HRB 86 of the piece is
possible only by
C 85 / R Annealed Strip = 640 = HRB 90 starting from the
50 CrV4 / R Annealed Strip = 780 = HRB 95 annealed material
C 55 / Hardened & Hardened & ( 1200-1400) HRC 39-46 (2) when the molding
Tempered Tempered Strip of the piece is
C 72 / Hardened & Hardened & ( 1250-1450) HRC 43-52 (2) possible by
Tempered Tempered Strip starting from the
C 85 / Hardened & Hardened & --- HRC 45-52 (2) hardened and
Tempered Tempered Strip tempered material
50 CrV4 / Hardened Hardened & ( 1350-1550) HRC 42-49 (2)
& Tempered Tempered Strip

Notes:
(1) The measurement of the hardness has to be carried out using different scales according to the
thickness (see specification 2700).
(2) Most common values for any material in the hardened and tempered state. If necessary
characteristics are different, these will have to be preliminarily arranged with the supplier and
prescribed in the design/sketch.
(3) The samples for the tensile test have to be obtained in the longitudinal direction (parallel to the
direction of lamination) and have to have the following dimensions: width 20mm, useful stretch
80mm. The values refer to a strip of thickness 2 mm.
(4) The values within brackets are to be considered indicative.
 Specification 2370 Pagina: 5 / 5 Modification: Ed.:1

TABLE 3 – mechanical characteristics of the finished parts

Category Type of materials Hardness (1) (2) Approximate correspondence with the
international standards

UNI, UNI-EN, UNI-ISO DIN

Plain spring washers C 55 / Hardened & Tempered HRC 39-46 --- ---
C 72 (H & T),C 85 (H & T) HRC 43-52 --- ---
50 CrV4 (H & T)
Conical spring washers C 55 (H & T),C 72 (H & T) HRC 39-46 UNI 8836 – UNI 8837 6796
C 85 (H & T),50 CrV4 (H & T) (HV 403-470)
Curved Spring washers C 55 (H & T),C 72 (H & T) HRC 42-51 UNI 8840 (Type A & B) 137 A- 137 B
rounded & rounded and
wave C 85 (H & T),50 CrV4 (H & T) (HV 430-520) UNI 9192

Split Spring Washers C 55 (H & T),C 72 (H & T) HRC 44-49 UNI 1751-UNI 1753 127 A-127B
(Grower)
C 85 (H & T),50 CrV4 (H & T) (HV 450-500) UNI 8839 (Type B) 128A -128B
UNI 9195 7980
Toothed spring washer C 55 (H & T),C 72 (H & T) HRC 39-46 UNI 8841-UNI 8842 6798
C 85 (H & T),50 CrV4 (H & T) (HV 403-470)
Elastic ring (Benzing C 55 (H & T),C 72 (H & T) HRC 46-52 UNI 7434 6799
type)
C 85 (H & T),50 CrV4 (H & T) (HV 470-560)
Elastic ring for Safety for C 55 (H & T) =Ø 38 HRC 47 -52 UNI 7435-UNI 7436 471
shaft & holes ( Seeger type) (HV 480 -558)
C 72 (H & T) UNI 7437-UNI 7438 472
C 85 (H & T) =Ø 40 -200 HRC 44 -49
(HV 480 -558)
50 CrV4 (H & T)
=Ø 210-300 HRC 40 -4 5

(HV 392 -453)

Disc Washer (type C 55 (H & T) HRC 47-52 UNI 8736-UNI 8737 2093
Belville)
C 72 (H & T) (HV 480-560)
C 85 (H & T)
50 CrV4 (H & T)
Various: Plate & Disc C 55 (H & T),C 72 (H & T) According to the --- ---
characteristics required by
C 85 (H & T),50 CrV4 (H & T) the project/plan

Notes:
(1) The measurement of the hardness has to be carried out using different scales according to the
thickness (see specification 2700).
(2) According to necessity based on the project/plan, different gaps/space/intervals of the values of
the hardness may be prescribed.