Springs - Compression, Tapered

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
S-848CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .437,L= .94,W= .035	265
TA-2192CS Century Spring Corp.	LO= 1.796, SO= 0.984, W= 0.125	70
F-26CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .250,L= .78,W= .029	1868
M-23CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .843,L= 1.25,W= .034	495
1635CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .656,L= 2.88,W= .080	118
72409CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .975,L= 2.25,W= .096	201
71378SCS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .420,L= 1.25,W= .0475	1840
10787CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .640,L= .97,W= .085	125
KK-88CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .281,L= 1.00,W= .062	172
A14-52CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .656,L= 1.00,W= .057	528
R-5CS Century Spring Corp.	LL O= 0.187 , W= 0.018 , L= 36	88
S-3052CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O=1.468,L= .69,W= .029	761
Q-17CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .188,L= .56,W= .019	299
S-342CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .375,L= .78,W= .025	333
S-870CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .796,L= 1.31,W= .0475	358
70257SCS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .180,L= 1.25,W= .012	177
70934CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .300,L= .94,W= .042	350
157-BCS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .156,L=1.38,W=.016 HD	941
S-1112CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .266,L= .38,W= .032	281
70998CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .300,L= 1.50,W= .049	204

Springs - Compression, Tapered

1. Overview

Compression tapered springs are helical springs with variable coil diameters, designed to provide non-linear load-deflection characteristics. Unlike uniform-diameter compression springs, tapered springs offer progressive stiffness, enabling compact designs and enhanced load-bearing capacity. Their unique geometry reduces coil contact during compression, minimizing vibration and noise. These springs are critical in applications requiring space optimization, dynamic load management, and shock absorption, such as automotive suspensions, aerospace actuators, and industrial machinery.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Characteristics	Application Examples
Single Tapered Springs	One end with smaller diameter, linear stiffness gradient	Valve systems, electrical connectors
Double Tapered Springs	Symmetrical diameter reduction at both ends, improved buckling resistance	Aerospace landing gear, vibration dampers
Composite Tapered Springs	Multi-segment diameter changes, tailored load curves	Heavy-duty truck suspensions, railway shock absorbers

3. Structure and Composition

Compression tapered springs feature a conical helical structure with gradually decreasing or increasing coil diameters. The cross-section typically uses round wire (occasionally rectangular for high-torque applications), manufactured via cold/hot forming processes. Key structural elements include:

Variable pitch design to control spring rate
Ground ends for uniform load distribution
Surface treatments (zinc plating, phosphate coating) for corrosion resistance

Materials commonly include high-carbon steel (SAE 1065-1095), stainless steel (SUS 304/316), and alloy steels (ASTM A231) for elevated temperature environments.

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Importance
Free Height (mm)	Determines maximum deflection range
Wire Diameter (mm)	Affects shear strength and fatigue life
Material Grade	Dictates temperature resistance and corrosion performance
Load Capacity (N)	Defines maximum operational force
Spring Rate (N/mm)	Controls stiffness and energy absorption
Working Temperature ( C)	Limits application environments

5. Application Fields

Major industries utilizing tapered compression springs include:

Automotive: Engine valve trains, clutch systems
Aerospace: Flight control actuators, landing gear dampers
Industrial Machinery: Hydraulic cylinder cushions, die springs
Energy: Subsea wellhead connectors, wind turbine pitch systems

Example: In automotive dual-mass flywheels, tapered springs absorb torsional vibrations across varying RPM ranges.

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Features
MISUMI	TAPEX Series	Customizable taper angles, zinc-nickel coating
Barnes Group	AeroSpring HT	High-temperature Inconel alloy construction
Lesj fors	RailSpring Pro	EN 14587-2 certified for railway applications

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations during selection:

Calculate required spring index (D/d ratio) to avoid stress concentration
Verify solid height vs. available installation space
Account for dynamic loads using fatigue life calculations (e.g., S-N curves)
Select end configurations (closed/open) based on load transfer requirements
Evaluate environmental factors (temperature, corrosive media)

Example: For a 150mm stroke application with 500N maximum load, select a spring with 1.5 safety factor and 10% greater free height than required stroke.

8. Industry Trends

Emerging trends include:

Adoption of composite materials (e.g., carbon fiber-reinforced polymers) for weight reduction
Integration of additive manufacturing for complex taper profiles
Smart spring systems with embedded strain sensors
Development of corrosion-resistant coatings meeting IP68 standards
Standardization efforts under ISO 11891 for aerospace applications

Market growth is projected at 4.2% CAGR through 2030, driven by electric vehicle suspension systems and renewable energy equipment demands.