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Materials for Belleville Spring Washers

Posted On : Jul-10-2013 | seen (674) times | Article Word Count : 626 |

Belleville washers can be used in a variety of applications, from construction equipment to uses in the oil industry. The performance expected from spring washers requires them to have superior durability and tensile strength.
Belleville washers can be used in a variety of applications, from construction equipment to uses in the oil industry. The performance expected from spring washers requires them to have superior durability and tensile strength. There is high demand for them to add flexibility to bolted joints or to withstand heavy loads, often within small spaces. Washers must be capable of withstanding thermal expansion, consistent vibration or "bolt-creep." The compact, conical spring design of the Belleville washer ensures it will not give or relax too significantly, despite the amount of pressure exerted. For all of these reasons and more, there are a wide variety of materials from which spring washers can be made.

Most Commonly Used Metals

There are many metals that are used to produce a multitude of spring washers. Depending on the intended use, performance requirements and necessary tolerances, various materials are preferred over others.

- Steel Varieties

An alloy of carbon, iron and other elements, the characteristics of steel can be intentionally modified by the use of additives. Primarily, carbon is responsible for increasing tensile strength and hardness while maintaining ductility. Nickel and manganese will also add to tensile strength and vanadium helps to reduce the effects from metal fatigue.

The addition of chromium creates stainless steel. Stainless steel alloy is an inox steel with a minimum of 10.5 percent chromium content by mass. It is favored for its corrosion resistance and has greater strength than regular steel. Stainless steel spring washers are among the most commonly used Belleville washers and come in varieties such as H-13 tool steel, 15-7 PH, 410 stainless steel and others.

- Beryllium Copper

Beryllium copper is another exceptional spring material with superb resistance to non-oxidizing acids and abrasive wear. The material has the ability to perform at very low temperatures, such as in cryogenic applications, and can also be heat treated to improve its strength and electrical conductivity.

- Phosphor Bronze

An alloy of copper, phosphor bronze contains between 3.5 and 10 percent of tin with phosphorous added. The end result is a fine-grained, tough alloy with a low coefficient of friction. Phosphor bronze is a Grade A metal with a fair resistance to chemical corrosion, high temperature resistance and has a good bearing surface.

- Titanium

Titanium alloyed with aluminum, vanadium and/or other elements produces a very durable material. Titanium varieties of washers are strong, corrosion-resistant, crack- and fatigue-resistant and are capable of tolerating extreme temperatures without creeping.

- Brass

An alloy of copper and zinc, brass is a non-magnetic metal with good electrical and heat conductivity. It is corrosion resistant and is also an excellent plating base.

- Aluminum

Just one-third the weight of steel, aluminum is one of the most abundant metals on earth. It can be heat treated for increased hardness and conducts heat and electricity well. When it is anodized, it becomes corrosion-resistant and can also be made in several colors.

- Other Finishes

All metals may have a nickel finish applied for a superior finish that increases resistance to corrosion. Heat treated high-carbon steel may be baked immediately after electroplating to improve hardness and to prevent hydrogen embrittlement. Stainless steel spring washers may also be finished with black oxide, a catch-22 as this improves indoor corrosion resistance but results in poor outdoor and abrasion resistance (but may be fixed by supplemental applications of wax or oil dipping).

The type of washer material will certainly vary depending on its purpose. Each material, from stainless steel to aluminum, has unique benefits which serve to improve the usefulness of washers. These and a host of other alloy compounds help to meet a variety of needs.

Article Source : http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Materials for Belleville Spring Washers_271613.aspx

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