what is spring steel

Spring steel is a specific type of steel known for its high yield strength, elasticity, hardness, and resilience. It is used in the manufacture of various products such as swords, saw blades, springs, lockpicks, small aircraft landing gear, knives, machetes, electricians fish tape, binder clips, and more. Spring steel is generally low-alloy manganese, medium-carbon steel, or high-carbon steel with a very high yield strength, allowing objects made of spring steel to return to their original shape despite significant deflection or twisting. It has unique properties such as resilience, hardness, durability, elasticity, and corrosion resistance, making it suitable for producing springs and other similar components. Spring steel is available in different varieties distinguished based on their carbon content, such as AISI 1050, which has the lowest carbon content and is easily formable. The high yield strength of spring steel is achieved through hardening by heat treatment or work hardening processes. This material is widely used in various commercial applications, including springs, washers, lock picks, antennas, saw blades, lawn mower parts, vehicle coil springs, and more.