How To Select Right Disc Spring

Understanding Disc Springs: A Comprehensive Guide

A disc spring, named for its bowl or dish-like shape, is a washer-type spring with a truncated conical section. It is characterized by four primary parameters: outer diameter (D), inner diameter (d), thickness (t), and height (H). These springs are typically made from metal sheets or forged blanks.

Want to explore more about disc spring for sale? Contact us today for an expert consultation!

Principle Behind Disc Springs

Disc springs are designed as conical annular discs that bear axial loads. Generally, the disc thickness remains uniform, distributing the load evenly between the upper inner edge and the lower outer edge. Crafted from spring steel, these springs can endure static, impact, or dynamic alternating loads, meeting stringent fatigue life requirements.

Varieties of Disc Springs

Disc springs can be categorized based on their applications into anti-loose disc springs, high-temperature preloaded disc springs, high-torque preloaded disc springs, and buffered tension disc springs.

Anti-loose Disc Springs

These springs are ideal for bolts subjected to intense vibration but not excessively large loads. They effectively prevent bolts from loosening and ensure reliable sealing by compensating for preload.

High-Temperature Preloaded Disc Springs

Designed for bolted joints in high-temperature environments, these springs are used extensively in flanged connections of various industrial equipment, ensuring stability even in environments with significant temperature variations.

High-Torque Preloading Disc Springs

These are tailored for high-load, high-torque applications, such as pre-tightening bolts in heavy machinery and industrial setups like valves, pumps, and reactors.

Buffer Tension Disc Springs

Buffer tension disc springs are versatile and find applications in various heavy machinery, including clutches, brakes, safety devices, and industrial furnaces.

Advantages of Disc Springs Over Conventional Springs

1. High Load Bearing in Compact Spaces

Disc springs store more deformation energy per unit volume compared to other springs. They excel in providing cushioning and shock absorption, especially in composite combinations, due to surface friction resistance.

2. Variable Stiffness Capabilities

Different stiffness characteristics can be achieved by adjusting the height-to-thickness ratio or varying the disc combinations, making the spring highly adaptable.

3. Adjustable Bearing Capacity

The bearing capacity of disc springs can be varied by changing the number or arrangement of discs, accommodating a wide range of applications.

4. Long Service Life

Well-designed and manufactured disc springs are durable, making them suitable for heavy machinery, aircraft, artillery, and other demanding applications.

Steps to Select the Right Disc Spring

When choosing a disc spring, it's essential to consider design parameters such as load size, load characteristics, corrosion resistance, working temperature, and permissible preload deformation.

Size and Dimensions

Refer to international standards for specific dimensions, including outer diameter (D), inner diameter (d), thickness (t), and free height (H).

Working Temperature

Disc springs are classified into four temperature ranges: normal, 150°C, 300°C, and 600°C, based on their material and application.

Operational State

Consider factors like pre-tightening, stroke, vibration, pulse pressure frequency, and pre-tightening force related to the equipment's operational state.

Environmental Medium

The working environment significantly influences the selection of disc springs, including considerations of the medium's corrosiveness and pH value.

Pressure Conditions

Understand how different pipe pressures impact pulse pressure and thermal expansion to determine the appropriate disc spring.

Conclusion

Disc springs are increasingly popular due to their durability and compact design. They provide high-load capacity, efficient space utilization, low maintenance, and extended service life.

We are the top wavy springs provider globally. Our experienced team is here to assist you in finding the right product.

Related Products

When a single disc spring isn't sufficient, stacking them in series, parallel, or combination can address the issue effectively if done correctly.

Disc springs are conically-shaped, washer-type elements designed for static and dynamic load conditions. Their deflection for a given load is predictable based on standardized calculations (DIN standards).

Best performance is achieved with a working deflection of 15%-75% of full deflection. When a single spring doesn't meet force/deflection requirements, stacking configurations come into play.

Types of Stacking
Friction between parallel disc surfaces is a crucial consideration in stacking. Factors such as surface roughness, the number of stacked discs, and deflection amount affect friction.

An allowance of 2-3% of the force for each sliding surface is reasonable, accommodating greater force for loading and lesser for unloading. Parallel stacks should be well-lubricated and limited to 3-4 discs to minimize deviations. Such stacks have increased self-dampening characteristics.

Using disc springs' force/deflection diversity enables designing stacks with specific load curves for application needs, achieving both progressive and regressive characteristics.

Stack Construction
Optimally, both ends of a stack should rest on the larger outer edge of the disc. For odd numbers, the larger edge should face the force application. Shorter stacks are more efficient, crucial for dynamic applications due to frictional impacts on deflection.

Utilize larger-diameter discs to reduce stack height, ideally keeping overall height within 3 times the disc's external diameter or 10 discs in series. Taller stacks may require flat washers for stability.

Stack Guidance
Stacks need guidance, preferably internal (rod/mandrel) through the inside diameter. Alternatively, an externally guided sleeve is recommended. Both should be case-hardened to 58 HRC with a minimum depth of 0.6mm and a surface finish of ≤4 microns.

Progressive Load Curves
Progressive loading occurs when disc springs deflect consecutively under load. Examples include stacking single, double, and triple parallel sets in series or using discs of various thicknesses.

Ensure weaker discs do not over-compress while stronger discs or parallel sets continue compressing.

Pre-Stacked Disc Springs
Pre-stacked configurations, available greased or ungreased, simplify installation, saving time, and reducing errors in a production environment.

For more information, visit spring wave washers.