Spring Steel Strip

Stainless spring steels are used in place of the more common high carbon and alloy spring steels where corrosion resistance is important. This will commonly occur in medical, food processing, marine and petrochemical applications.

The two most available grades are 1.4310 (AISI 301) hard rolled , and BS420S37 and BS420S45 (AISI 420) hardened and tempered.

301 is an austenitic stainless with good corrosion resistance and in the hard rolled condition achieves high tensile strengths and is used commonly for applications such as feeler gauge stock, stainless foils and spring applications. Type 301 in the hard rolled condition has low magnetic properties, and cannot be held by magnetic tables etc.

420 is a martensitic stainless grade and for spring applications is supplied in the hardened and tempered condition, where hardnesses between 48 and 52 Rockwell C are typically achieved. Typical applications will include knife blades, surgical instruments, needle valves and shear blades. 420 has good magnetic properties.

At BSS we can supply small quantities of both grades. We stock type 301 hard rolled in sheet from 0.003mm to 1mm and in coil from 0.20mm to 1.20mm. We stock type 420 in sheet from 0.50mm to 3mm and in coil from 0.10mm to 2mm. In both instances coil can be supplied in narrow strips.

Spring steels by their nature are hard and should you require we can provide strips/blanks cut to your final size/drilled etc. Shapes and profiles are most commonly produced by laser, water jet or wire cutting, and we are able to laser cut according to your drawings.

BSS can be contacted on (0044 (0)1709 740166 fax 08701 236052 or by email at bss@steelstrip.co.uk

Ask for Steve.