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Springs & wire forms in Stainless steel 316
Stainless steel 316 is a proven choice for springs & wire forms: pitting resistance equivalent number (pren) of about 24, versus about 19 for 304. On a representative compression spring at 10,000 pieces it estimates at about $0.13 per part, with a lead time of 1–3 weeks. Typical tolerance is ±10% commercial; ±5% achievable with added testing or sorting.
- Per part
- $0.13
- Tooling
- None
- Lead time
- 1–3 weeks
Price it in 316 SS
Compression spring · Springs & wire forms
Order total $1,407
- Tooling
- None
- no hard tooling
- Piece price
- $0.13
- before setup + tooling
- Lead time
- 1–3 weeks
- to first production
Size
Drag a row to adjust · click to type
Wire diameter1.201.20 mm
Outside diameter12.012.0 mm
Free length40.040.0 mm
Quantity
Price per part falls as volume rises
Exact quantity1000010000 pcs
Material
Design checks pass
Open in builderBudgetary estimate for a representative part. Firm quotes come from principals after drawing review.
316 SS vs other springs & wire forms materials
The same compression spring at 10,000 pieces, priced in every material the process runs. 1008 CRS is the lowest all-in cost.
| Material | Per part | All-in | Weight | Tensile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel 1008 cold-rolled (CRS) | $0.10 | $0.11 | 3 g | 330 MPa |
| Music wire (ASTM A228) | $0.11 | $0.13 | 3 g | 2070 MPa |
| Stainless steel 304 | $0.12 | $0.13 | 3 g | 505 MPa |
| Stainless steel 302 (spring temper) | $0.13 | $0.14 | 3 g | 1720 MPa |
| Stainless steel 316 | $0.13 | $0.14 | 3 g | 580 MPa |
| Phosphor bronze C510 (spring temper) | $0.17 | $0.19 | 3 g | 720 MPa |
316 SS at a glance
- Tensile strength
- 580 MPa82th pct
- Yield strength
- 290 MPa55th pct
- Density
- 8 g/cm³89th pct
- Max service temp
- 925 °C97th pct
- Elongation
- 50 %70th pct
- Relative cost
- $$$$$
Bars are relative to the strongest, densest or hottest material in the SSG library. Percentile vs all 48 materials.
Strengths
- Pitting resistance equivalent number (PREN) of about 24, versus about 19 for 304
- Standard for marine hardware, pharmaceutical and food processing equipment
- 316L variant welds without sensitization
- Better strength and creep resistance than 304 at high temperature
Watch for
- Still pits in warm seawater and tight crevices; use duplex 2205 or super-austenitic grades
- About 36% machinability; work-hardens
- Costs about one-third more than 304
- Galls in threaded and sliding contact
Finishes for this combination
Springs & wire forms design rules
D/d between 4 and 12
Keep the spring index in range
Inside radius at least 1× wire diameter
Minimum bend radius
Use no more than about 80–85% of available deflection
Leave travel before solid
Free length no more than about 4× mean diameter unless guided
Check buckling
Give load at one or two working heights, with free length as reference
Specify loads, not everything
Hook bend inside radius at least 2× wire diameter
Size extension spring hooks
Questions
How much does springs & wire forms in 316 SS cost?
For a representative part (compression spring ø1.2 mm wire, 12 mm od, 40 mm free length, 8 active coils, closed & ground), SSG's estimator gives about $0.13 per part at 10,000 pieces. All-in with tooling and setup that is $0.14 per part. It is budgetary; principals quote firm prices from your drawing.
Is 316 SS a good material for springs & wire forms?
It is when you need pitting resistance equivalent number (pren) of about 24, versus about 19 for 304 and standard for marine hardware, pharmaceutical and food processing equipment. Watch for still pits in warm seawater and tight crevices; use duplex 2205 or super-austenitic grades. Of 6 materials run in springs & wire forms, it ranks 5 on all-in cost for the same part.
What finishes work on 316 SS springs & wire forms parts?
Common options are bead blasted, vibratory deburr (tumbling), passivation, laser marking. The builder adds each finish's lot charge, per-part cost and days to the estimate.
What tolerance can springs & wire forms hold in 316 SS?
Typical capability is ±10% commercial; ±5% achievable with added testing or sorting. Tighter tolerances are possible on called-out features at added cost; specify them on the drawing rather than as a blanket note.
Quote springs & wire forms in 316 SS.
Upload your CAD or start from a template. The DFM check applies the rules above to your geometry.