Spring Definition Glossary Of Terms
A-L M-Z

Magnetic Spring
Spring using the repulsion force and attraction force by magnetism, as called by its type of function.
Mean coil diameter (D)
Outside spring diameter (O.D.) minus one wire diameter (d)
Metallic Spring
Spring made of metallic materials as called by its material.
Modulus in shear or torsion (G)
Coefficient of stiffness for extension and compression springs.
Modulus in tension or bending (E)
Coefficient of stiffness used for torsion and flat springs (Young's Modulus).
Moment (M)
See Torque
Nonferrous Metal Spring
Spring made of nonferrous metal, as called by its material.
Nonlinear Spring
Spring the deflection of which is not linear to the load applied.
Non-Metallic Spring
Spring made of non-metallic materials as called by its material.
Open ends, not ground
End of a compression spring with a constant pitch for each coil.
Open ends ground
"Open ends, not ground" followed by an end grinding operation
Passivating
Acid treatment of stainless steel to remove contaminants and improve corrosion resistance.
Permanent set
A material that is deflected so far that its elastic properties have been exceeded and it does not return to its original condition upon release of load is said to have taken a "permanent set".
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Pitch (p)
The distance from center to center of the wire in adjacent active coils (recommended practice is to specify number of active coils rather than pitch.
Pneumatic Spring
Spring using the elasticity of air, which is one of the fluid springs.
Preset
See Remove set.
Progressive Rate Spring
Spring the deflection of which is not linear to the load applied.
Rate (R)
Change in load per unit deflection, generally given in pounds per inch.
Remove set
The process of closing to solid height a compression spring which has been coiled longer than the desired finished length, so as to increase the apparent elastic limit.
Residual stress
Stresses induced by set removal, shot peening, cold working, forming or other means.  These stresses may or may not be beneficial, depending on the application.
Retaining Ring
Circular spring for preventing the axial movement by snapping into the groove formed on the shaft or the hole. (A grip ring is used for grooveless shafts.)
Rubber Spring
Spring using the elasticity of rubbers, as called by its material.
Set
Permanent distortion which occurs when a spring is stressed beyond the elastic limit of the material.
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Slenderness ratio
Ratio of spring length (L) to mean coil diameter (D).
Snap Ring
Circular spring for preventing the axial movement by snapping into the groove formed on the shaft or the hole. (A grip ring is used for grooveless shafts.)
Solid height (H)
Length of a compression spring when under sufficient load to bring all coils into contact with adjacent coils.
Spring
Mechanical element designed mainly to unitse by elasticity or distoriion of an object.
Spring index
Ratio of mean coil diameter (D) to wire diameter (d).
Spring Washer
Generic term for washers for locking using the spring action.
Squared and ground ends
See Closed and ground ends.
Squared ends
See Closed ends.
Steel Spring
Spring made of steel materials as called by its material.
Stress range
The difference in operating stresses at minimum and maximum loads.
Stress relieve
To subject springs to low-temperature heat treatment so as to relieve residual stresses.
Shot peening
A cold-wound process in which the material surface is peened to induce compressive stresses and thereby improve fatigue life.
Squareness of ends
Angular deviation between the axis of a compression spring and a normal to the plane of the ends.
Squareness under load
As in Squareness of ends, except with the spring under load.
Torque (M)
A twisting action in torsion springs which tends to produce rotation, equal to the load multiplied by the distance (or moment arm) from the load to the axis of the spring body.   Usually expressed in inch-oz., inch-pounds or in foot-pounds.
Torsion Spring
twisting Spring subjected mainly to a twisting moment, in the narrow, sense, helical torsion spring. (torsion)
Total number of coils (N)
Number of active coils (n) plus the coils forming the ends.
Variable Rate Spring
Spring the deflection of which is not linear to the load applied.
Waved Spring Washer
Spring washer made by turning wire and formed into a waved shape.
Waved Washer
Spring washer made of thin ring plate on which waving is formed. (curved washer)
Wire Forming
Various shapes of springs made of wire, as called by its material.
Wire Spring
Coil spring made of wire.
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