Springs - Compression, Tapered

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
1803CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .420,L= .53,W= .045	1380
L-29CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .219,L= .44,W= .040	464
B1-21CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .546,L= .44,W= .048	1432
71489CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .480,L= 3.00,W= .038	842
B18-172CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .375,L= 2.00,W= .0625	1353
10684CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .281,L= .25,W= .030	8728
3433CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O=1.359,L= 1.88,W= .100	112
F-39CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .250,L= .94,W= .032	1311
71498SCS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .480,L= 1.75,W= .042	186
11917CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O=1.250,L= 2.50,W= .0915	180
S-308CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .765,L= 2.00,W= .125	869
10131CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O=1.562,L= 1.28,W= .156	379
71259CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .360,L= 3.00,W= .055	476
70646CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .240,L= .56,W= .029	618
10641CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .468,L= 1.06,W= .0625	192
TA-2140CS Century Spring Corp.	LO= 0.39, SO= 0.335, W= 0.018	715
11930CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O=1.421,L= 3.03,W= .105	193
393CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .156,L=1.00,W=.011 HD	987
S-3249CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O=1.359,L= 5.00,W= .196	230
70802CS Century Spring Corp.	COMP O= .300,L= .38,W= .026	2198

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.