High Tensile Springs: Benefits & Applications

Tensile Strength in Coil Springs

In the automotive aftermarket there are many different types of springs and spring materials available. One important factor to consider is tensile strength.

Hengguang are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.

In coil spring design, 'tensile strength' refers to the strength of the raw material and the resulting spring's resistance to breaking due to stress. Tensile strength is crucial to maintaining functionality of your coil springs and increasing their life expectancy.

In general, the higher the tensile strength, the more durable and long lasting the spring. However, spring designers must constantly weigh cost v.s. strength.

We're going to cover a few benefits of high tensile springs, specifically in automotive applications, and help you determine when high tensile makes the most sense.

What Are High Tensile Springs?

High tensile springs are compression springs manufactured from high strength material that require a heavy load or extra travel. They are typically required for more heavy duty applications such as automotive, military, and heavy duty truck suspensions.

Higher tensile strength material in springs provides the application with the ability to withstand higher loads and stresses, but they also come with some other benefits:

LIGHTER WEIGHT

High tensile springs are manufactured with a smaller diameter wire since the material can be used for higher stresses based on its increased tensile strength. This means they tend to weigh less than traditional materials. Though this may mean an increase in cost over traditional materials due to the increased cost of the high tensile material, it also means more stability for unsprung weight on a vehicle.

INCREASED TRAVEL

High tensile springs allow for improved travel over more traditional materials, making them great for coil-over applications and other applications where travel is crucial.

Because they have a lower solid height, high tensile springs reduce the chance of a coil bind when applied. They're perfect for any application where travel is key, such as off-road, racing, and in more heavy duty vehicles.

The higher tensile also allows for high travel springs to be compressed to bind during manufacture to ensure springs maintain their free length over time.

FEWER COILS

Thanks to the smaller wire size, high tensile springs also have fewer coils, allowing for additional travel.

They're great for progressive rate springs, as traditional materials may not have enough travel since the travel is already reduced by the small pitch variable coils needed for the initial spring rate.

Coil Spring Experts

MW Components works with customers to help develop a coil spring that fits their application's requirements. We manufacture both hot wound and cold wound springs. When it comes to cold wound, we have traditional tensile strength materials and also high tensile materials available now that we added our new high tensile CNC coiler that can coil up to .75' (19mm) diameter wire in high tensile.

If you have any questions regarding high tensile springs, or you have an application you think needs high tensile material, contact our team today.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Heavy-duty tension springs for automotive applications.

Imagine navigating a winding coastal road, the salty breeze whipping through your hair as your car effortlessly hugs every curve. Or picture confidently maneuvering through city traffic, feeling the reassuring stability of your vehicle even amidst the chaos. At the heart of both scenarios lies an often-underrated component: the coil springs. These unassuming metal coils silently play a critical role in your driving experience, absorbing road imperfections, maintaining ride height, and significantly impacting your vehicle's performance and safety. Here we will explore the different types of automotive coil springs and give you some choosing suggestions.

What are the Types of Automotive Coil Springs?

Automotive coil springs can be categorized into three main types based on their intended purpose and characteristics: Standard, Performance, and Heavy-Duty.

Standard coil springs:

Purpose: Designed to replace worn-out original equipment (OE) springs, offering a balance between ride comfort and handling.

Characteristics:

1. Maintain the vehicle's original ride height and handling characteristics.
2. Offer a comfortable ride quality for everyday driving.
3. Typically made from standard steel and has a constant spring rate.
4. Generally the most affordable option among the three types.

Performance coil springs:

Purpose: Enhance the vehicle's handling and cornering performance, often at the expense of some ride comfort.

Characteristics:

1. Lower the vehicle's ride height for a sportier look and improved handling.
2. Have a stiffer spring rate than standard springs, leading to less body roll and sharper handling.
3. May be made from higher-quality steel or other materials for improved performance and durability.
4. Can be more expensive than standard springs.

Heavy-Duty coil springs:

Purpose: Designed to handle increased weight loads, such as towing trailers, carrying cargo, or off-roading.

Characteristics:

1. Increase the vehicle's load capacity and prevent sagging.
2. Have a higher spring rate than standard or performance springs to support heavier loads.
3. May be taller than standard springs to maintain proper ride height with additional weight.
4. Typically the most expensive option among the three types.

How to Choose the Right Automotive Coil Springs?

Choosing the right automotive coil springs requires considering several factors, as they significantly impact your vehicle's handling, performance, and safety. Here are some key factors to consider:

1. Vehicle specifics:

• Make, model, and year: This ensures compatibility and accurate dimensions.
• Original equipment (OE) vs. aftermarket: OE springs offer a balanced, factory-tuned ride, while aftermarket options cater to specific needs like performance or lifted trucks.
• Suspension type: MacPherson strut, double wishbone, etc., all influence spring selection.

2. Spring characteristics:

• Spring rate: Measured in lbs/in or N/mm, it determines stiffness. Higher rates offer better handling but can lead to a harsher ride. Consider vehicle weight, intended use (daily driving, off-road, track), and desired ride quality.
• Free height: The spring's unloaded height, affects ride height and potentially alignment. Choose based on the desired stance and compatibility with your suspension setup.
• Diameter and wire diameter: Ensure they fit your suspension components and offer the desired load capacity.

3. Your goals:

• Improve handling: Stiffer springs enhance cornering but might compromise comfort.
• Lift the vehicle: Off-road enthusiasts often opt for taller springs, but consider potential modifications needed for other components.
• Maintain stock ride height and performance: Opt for OE replacements.

Remember, modifying your suspension can impact other vehicle systems. Ensure proper installation and consider potential alignment adjustments or other modifications needed for safe and optimal performance.

Conclusion

All in all, your choice of coil springs isn't just about how your car looks, it's about how it feels and performs. By considering your driving habits, vehicle needs, and desired comfort level, you can unlock a new dimension of driving pleasure. But what if 'off-the-shelf' options don't quite hit the mark? Enter the world of custom automotive coil springs. Imagine springs meticulously crafted to your exact specifications, perfectly balancing comfort, handling, and load capacity. Whether you're a dedicated track rat or an overlanding enthusiast, custom springs let you fine-tune your vehicle's performance to match your unique driving style and aspirations.

For more information, please visit custom coil spring for suspension parts.