This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: A125 − 96 (Reapproved 2018)

Standard Specification for

Steel Springs, Helical, Heat-Treated1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A125; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope E10 Test Method for Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials

1.1 This specification covers hot-coiled, heat-treated helical E112 Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size
compression springs with tapered, closed, squared and ground E709 Guide for Magnetic Particle Testing
ends made of hot-wrought round steel bars 3⁄8 in. (9.5 mm) and
larger in diameter. 3. Ordering Information
1.2 This specification also serves to inform the user of 3.1 Orders for springs under this specification shall include
practical manufacturing limits, mechanical tests, and inspec- the following information:
tion requirements applicable to the type of spring described in 3.1.1 Quantity,
1.1. 3.1.2 Name of material,
3.1.3 A drawing or list showing required dimensions and
1.3 Supplementary Requirements S1 to S8 inclusive of an loads, and part number,
optional nature are provided. They shall apply only when 3.1.4 Packaging, marking and loading, and
specified by the purchaser. Details of these supplementary 3.1.5 End use.
requirements shall be agreed upon by the manufacturer and
purchaser. NOTE 1—A typical ordering description is: 500 springs Drawing 3303
Rev. A. to ASTM A125, 1095 steel, for cyclical machine operation.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded Palletize, maximum weight 4000 lb.
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only 4. Materials and Manufacture
and are not considered standard. 4.1 Material:
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor- 4.1.1 Unless otherwise specified, the springs shall be made
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- of carbon steel bars conforming to the requirements of Speci-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the fication A689. Due to hardenability limitations of carbon steel,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- it is suggested that the bar diameter be limited to 15⁄8 in. (41.8
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical mm) max in order to withstand the maximum test stress
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. requirements of this specification.
4.1.2 If alloy steel is specified, the springs shall be made
2. Referenced Documents from alloy steel bars conforming to Specification A689. Any of
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 the alloy steel grades referred to may be used at the option of
A29/A29M Specification for General Requirements for Steel the spring manufacturer, providing that a minimum as-
Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought quenched hardness of Rockwell HRC-50 will be achieved at
A689 Specification for Carbon and Alloy Steel Bars for the center of the bar section representing the spring when
Springs quenched in the same media and manner as the spring.
4.1.3 Springs Made from Bars Over 2 in. (50.8 mm)—Note
that the bias tolerance (reference Specification A29/A29M,
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, Table A1.1 on Permissible Variations in Cross Section for
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee Hot-Wrought Round, Square, and Round-Cornered Square
A01.15 on Bars. Bars of Steel) of the bar diameter shall be taken into consid-
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2018. Published September 2018. Originally
eration when designing and calculating the solid height, spring
approved in 1929. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as A125–96 (2013)ɛ1.
DOI: 10.1520/A0125-96R18. rate, solid stress, and solid capacity.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4.2 Hardness:
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 4.2.1 The springs must be quenched and tempered to a
the ASTM website. sufficiently high hardness (strength) to withstand the stresses

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Fri Apr 16 00:25:00 EDT 2021
1
Downloaded/printed by
changhoon kang (westek) pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.
 A125 − 96 (2018)
developed in testing the finished spring. The maximum hard- deviate from the perpendicular more than the number of
ness shall not exceed 477 Brinell numbers (2.80 mm indenta- degrees prescribed in Table 3, as determined by standing the
tion diameter). spring on its end and measuring the angular deviation of a
4.2.2 When hardness limits are specified, the total range or straightedge along the outer helix from a perpendicular to the
spread may not be less than 0.15 mm difference in indentation plate on which the spring is standing.
diameters. The specified or indicated minimum hardness must 4.4.3 The ends of springs shall be parallel within a tolerance
be sufficient to develop the required strength to withstand the of twice that specified for the squareness of ends as determined
solid stresses of the spring design involved. by standing the spring on its end and measuring the maximum
4.2.3 Hardness shall be read on a prepared flat surface in an angular deviation of the other end from a plane parallel to the
area not detrimental to the life of the spring at a full section plate on which the spring is standing.
after removal of the decarburized layer. A tungsten-carbide
10-mm ball shall be applied under a 3000-kg load and the 5. Physical Requirements
indentation diameter converted to Brinell numbers by using
Table 1. The values for Table 1 have been taken from Test 5.1 Measurements:
Method E10. 5.1.1 Solid Height—The solid height is the perpendicular
4.3 Metallurgical Requirements: distance between the plates of the testing machine when the
4.3.1 The total depth of decarburization, partial plus com- spring is compressed solid with the load specified in 7.3. The
plete as measured on the finished spring in the quenched and solid height thus measured may be less, but shall not exceed
tempered condition, shall not exceed 0.006 in. (0.15 mm) plus the specified nominal solid height by more than the limits given
1 % of the bar diameter. The decarburization shall be examined in Table 4.
at 100× on a test specimen suitably etched and cut from a full 5.1.2 Free Height—The free height is the height of the
cross section of the test spring showing at least one lineal inch spring after the load specified in 7.3 has been released, and is
of original bar circumference. determined by placing a straightedge across the top of the
4.3.2 The structure of the finished spring shall have an spring and measuring the perpendicular distance from the plate
average ASTM Grain Size No. 5 or finer as determined by the on which the spring stands to the bottom of the straightedge at
latest revision of Test Methods E112. the approximate center of the spring. Tolerances are shown in
4.4 End Construction: Table 5.
4.4.1 End Construction-Tapered Squared and Ground—The 5.1.3 Loaded Height—The loaded height is the perpendicu-
end bearing surfaces of the spring shall be ground to produce lar distance between the plates of the testing machine when the
a firm bearing. The end bearing surfaces shall have a minimum specified working load has been applied in compression.
bearing surface of two thirds of the mean coil circumference Tolerances are shown in Table 5.
and a minimum width of two thirds of the hot-tapered surface 5.1.4 Permanent Set—After determining the free height as
of the bar. The tip ends of the bar shall be in approximate specified in 5.1.2, the permanent set is the difference between
contact with the adjacent coil, and shall not protrude beyond this free height and the height after the spring has been
the maximum permissible outside diameters of the spring as compressed solid three additional times under the test load
established by Table 2. specified in 7.3, measured at the same point and in the same
4.4.1.1 End Construction Coil Blunt Squared and Ground manner. Tolerances are shown in Table 5.
(Optional)—The end bearing surfaces of the spring shall be 5.1.5 Uniformity of Pitch—The pitch of the coils shall be
ground to produce a firm bearing. The end bearing surfaces sufficiently uniform so that when the spring is compressed
shall have a minimum ground bearing surface of two thirds of without lateral support to a height representing a deflection of
the mean coil circumference and a minimum width of two 85 % of the nominal total travel, none of the coils shall be in
thirds of the bar diameter. The tip ends of the bar shall be in contact with one another, excluding the inactive end coils.
approximate contact with the adjacent coil and shall not Under 85 % deflection, the maximum spacing between any two
protrude beyond the maximum permissible outside diameters adjacent active coils shall not exceed 40 % of the nominal free
of the spring as established by Table 2. coil spacing. The nominal free coil spacing is equivalent to the
4.4.2 Springs with ground ends having a free height-to- specified total travel divided by the number of active turns.
mean diameter ratio of not less than 1 or more than 5 shall not When the design is such that it cannot be compressed to solid
height without lateral support, these requirements do not apply.
TABLE 1 Brinell Hardness 5.1.6 Outside Diameter—The outside diameter shall be
Indentation Diameter, mm Brinell Hardness Numbers measured on a spring in the free condition and across any full
2.75 495 turn excluding the end turns and must be taken approximately
2.80 477
perpendicular to the helix axis. The tolerances are shown in
2.85 461
2.90 444 Table 2.
2.95 429 5.1.7 Calculations for Testing Loads and Stresses:
3.00 415
3.05 401 5.1.7.1 Solid Capacity—Calculate the solid capacity of the
3.10 388 spring as follows:
3.15 375
P 5 Gd4 F/8 ND3 (1)

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Fri Apr 16 00:25:00 EDT 2021
2
Downloaded/printed by
changhoon kang (westek) pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.
 A125 − 96 (2018)
TABLE 2 Permissible Variations in Outside Diameter of Helix
(For springs with D/d ratio not exceeding 8)
NOTE 1—(For design information). These permissible variations, exclusives of manufacturing taper, should be used as a guide in the design of
concentrically-nested helical-spring units for free assembly. The diametrical clearance desired is 1⁄16 in. (1.59 mm) less than the sum of the applicable
tolerances of the nested spring units, but in no case should it be less than 1⁄8 in. (3.17 mm).
NOTE 2—In cases where radical clearance on existing concentrically-nested helical-spring units will not accommodate these tolerances, the nominal
inside diameters shall be adhered to as closely as practicable, with plus variation on the outer springs and minus variation on the inner springs to guarantee
free assembly. Drawings must show reference to the complete nested spring units.
NOTE 3—(For springs with D/d ratio not exceeding 8). For D/d ratio greater than 8, increase tolerance 50 %.
Nominal Outside Diameter, in. Nominal Free Height or Length of Spring, in. (mm)
(mm) Up to 10 (254) Over 10 to 18 Over 18 to 26 Over 26 to 34 Over 34 to 42 Over 42 to 60
incl, ± (254 to 457), (457 to 661), (661 to 874), (874 to 1067), (1067 to 1524),
incl, ± incl, ± incl, ± incl, ± incl, ±

Up to 6 (152), incl ⁄
1 16 (1.59) ⁄
3 32 (2.38) 18⁄ (3.17) ⁄
5 32 (3.97) ⁄
3 16 (4.76) ...
Over 6 to 8 (152 to 203), incl ⁄
3 32 (2.38) 18⁄ (3.17) ⁄
3 16 (4.76) ⁄ (6.35)
14 14⁄ (6.35) ...
Over 8 to 12 (203 to 305), incl 1⁄8 (3.17) 3⁄16 (4.76) 1⁄4 (6.35) 1⁄4 (6.35) 1⁄4 (6.35) ...
Over 12 to 16 (305 to 406), incl ... 1⁄4 (6.35) 1⁄4 (6.35) 1⁄4 (6.35) 1⁄4 (6.35) 5⁄16 (7.94)

Over 16 to 20 (406 to 508), incl ... ... 5⁄16 (7.94) 5⁄16 (7.94) 5⁄16 (7.94) 3⁄8 (9.53)

Over 20 to 24 (508 to 610), incl ... ... 3⁄8 (9.53) 3⁄8 (9.53) 3⁄8 (9.53) 7⁄16 (11.00)

Over 24 to 28 (610 to 701), incl ... ... 7⁄16 7⁄16 7⁄16 1 ⁄2

Over 28 (701), incl ... ... 1 ⁄2 1 ⁄2 1 ⁄2 1 ⁄2

TABLE 3 Permissible Out-of-Squareness, Springs with Ground Ends

Total Travel, in. (mm) Mean Diameter, in. (mm)
2 (51) Over 2 Over 4 Over 6 Over 8 Over 10 Over 12 Over 14 Over 16 Over 18
and to 4 to 6 to 8 to 10 to 12 to 14 to 16 to 18 to 20
under (51 to (102 to (152 to (203 to (254 to (305 to (356 to (406 to (457 to
102), incl 152), incl 203), incl 254), incl 305), incl 356), incl 406), incl 457), incl 508), incl
Degree
2 (51) and under 11⁄4 1 1⁄ 4 1 1 1 1 ... ... ... ...
Over 2 to 4 (51 to 102), incl 13⁄4 1 1⁄ 2 1 1⁄ 4 1 1⁄4 1 1 1 ... ... ...
Over 4 to 6 (102 to 152), incl 21⁄4 1 3⁄ 4 1 1⁄ 2 1 1⁄4 1 1 ⁄4 1 1 ... ... ...
Over 6 to 8 (152 to 203), incl 21⁄2 2 1⁄ 4 1 3⁄ 4 1 1⁄2 1 1 ⁄4 1 1⁄ 4 1 1 ... ...
Over 8 to 10 (203 to 254), incl 23⁄4 2 1⁄ 2 2 1 1⁄2 1 1 ⁄2 1 1⁄ 4 1 1⁄ 4 1 ... ...
Over 10 to 12 (254 to 305), incl 3 23⁄4 2 1⁄ 4 1 3⁄4 1 1 ⁄2 1 1⁄ 2 1 1⁄ 4 1 1⁄ 4 1 ...
Over 12 to 14 (305 to 356), incl ... 3 21⁄2 2 1 3 ⁄4 1 3⁄ 4 1 1⁄ 2 1 1⁄ 2 1 1 ⁄4 1 1⁄ 4
Over 14 to 16 (356 to 406), incl ... ... 23⁄4 2 1⁄4 2 2 1 3⁄ 4 1 3⁄ 4 1 1 ⁄2 1 1⁄ 2
Over 16 to 18 (406 to 457), incl ... ... 3 21⁄2 2 1 ⁄4 2 2 1 3⁄ 4 1 3 ⁄4 1 1⁄ 2
Over 18 to 20 (457 to 508), incl ... ... 3 23⁄4 2 1 ⁄2 2 1⁄ 4 2 1⁄ 4 2 2 1 3⁄ 4
Over 20 to 22 (508 to 559), incl ... ... ... 3 23⁄4 2 1⁄ 4 2 1⁄ 4 2 2 1 3⁄ 4
Over 22 to 24 (559 to 610), incl ... ... ... ... 3 21⁄4 2 1⁄ 4 2 2 1 3⁄ 4
Over 24 to 26 (610 to 660), incl ... ... ... ... ... 21⁄2 2 1⁄ 2 2 1⁄ 4 2 1 ⁄4 2
Over 26 to 28 (660 to 701), incl ... ... ... ... ... 2 1⁄ 2 2 1⁄ 2 2 1⁄ 4 2 1 ⁄4 2
Over 28 to 30 (702 to 762), incl ... ... ... ... ... 2 3⁄ 4 2 1⁄ 2 2 1⁄ 4 2 1 ⁄4 2
Over 30 to 32 (762 to 813), incl ... ... ... ... ... 2 3⁄ 4 2 3⁄ 4 2 1⁄ 2 2 1 ⁄2 ...
Over 32 to 34 (813 to 864), incl ... ... ... ... ... 2 3⁄ 4 2 3⁄ 4 2 1⁄ 2 2 1 ⁄2 ...
Over 34 to 38 (864 to 914), incl ... ... ... ... ... 3 2 3⁄ 4 2 3⁄ 4 2 3 ⁄4 ...
Over 36 to 38 (914 to 965), incl ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 2 3⁄ 4 2 3 ⁄4 ...
Over 38 to 42 (965 to 1016), incl ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 3 ...

TABLE 4 Permissible Variations in Solid Height

where: Nominal Solid Height, in. (mm) Deviation Above Nominal Solid
G = 11 × 106 psi = effective torsional modulus of elasticity, Height, max, in.A (mm)
d = nominal bar diameter, in., Up to 7 (178), incl ⁄
1 16 (1.59)
Over 7 to 10 (178 to 254), incl ⁄
3 32 (2.38)
D = mean coil or helix diameter, in., Over 10 to 13 (254 to 330), incl ⁄ (3.17)
18

F = spring deflection = free to solid, in., Over 13 to 16 (330 to 406), incl 5⁄32 (3.97)

N = active turns = (solid height)/bar diameter) − 1.5, and Over 16 to 19 (406 to 483), incl 3⁄16 (4.76)

P = solid capacity, lb. Over 19 to 22 (483 to 559), incl 7⁄32 (5.56)

Over 22 to 25 (559 to 635), incl 1⁄4 (6.35)

5.1.7.2 Uncorrected Solid Stress—Calculate the uncorrected Over 25 to 28 (635 to 711), incl 9⁄32 (7.14)

Over 28 to 31 (711 to 787), incl 5⁄16 (7.94)

solid stress as follows: (Warning—Bar nominal diameter may
A
not be the same as the specified diameter, due to biased For additional 3-in. (76-mm) increase in solid height, the deviation shown should
be increased by 1⁄32 in. (0.79 mm).
tolerances on hot-rolled bars 2 in. (50.8 mm) and over.)
S 5 8PD/3.1416 d 3 (2)

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Fri Apr 16 00:25:00 EDT 2021
3
Downloaded/printed by
changhoon kang (westek) pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.
 A125 − 96 (2018)
TABLE 5 Permissible Variations in Free Height, Loaded Height shall this load exceed by more than 50 % the solid capacity as
and Permanent Set calculated (see 5.1.7.1).
Nominal Total Deviation Deviation Permanent 7.3.2 If the uncorrected solid stress (see 5.1.7.2) exceeds
Deflection, in. (mm) From From Set, max,
Nominal Free Nominal in. (mm)
100 000 psi for carbon steel or 115 000 psi for alloy steel, the
Height, max, Loaded springs shall not be subject to solid compression, and require-
in. (mm), ± Height,A ments for solid height (5.1.1) and permanent set (5.1.4) do not
max,
in. (mm), ± apply.
Up to 3 (76.2), incl ⁄ (3.97)
5 32 ⁄ (3.17)
4 32 ⁄ (1.19)
3 64

Over 3 to 4 (76.2 to 102), incl ⁄ (6.35)

8 32 ⁄ (3.97)
5 32 ⁄ (1.59)
4 64
7.4 The stresses specified in 7.3 are limiting stresses not to
Over 4 to 5 (102 to 127), incl 8⁄32 (6.35) 6⁄32 (4.76) 4⁄64 (1.59) be exceeded in testing and are not intended as a guide in the
Over 5 to 6 (127 to 152), incl 11⁄32 (8.73) 7⁄32 (5.56) 5⁄64 (1.99)
design of springs. The proper working and solid stresses will
Over 6 to 7 (152 to 179), incl 11⁄32 (8.73) 8⁄32 (6.35) 5⁄64 (1.99)

Over 7 to 8 (179 to 203), incl 14⁄32 (11.0) 9⁄32 (7.14) 6⁄64 (2.38)
depend upon the class of spring, bar size, spring index, and
Over 8 to 9 (203 to 228), incl 14⁄32 (11.0) 10⁄32 (7.94) 6⁄64 (2.38) type of service for which it is intended.
Over 9 to 10 (228 to 254), incl 17⁄32 (13.49) 11⁄32 (8.73) 7⁄64 (2.78)

Over 10 to 11 (254 to 279), incl 17⁄32 (13.49) 12⁄32 (9.53) 7⁄64 (2.78)
8. Inspection
Over 11 to 12 (279 to 305), incl 20⁄32 (15.87) 13⁄32 (10.32) 8⁄64 (3.17)

Over 12 to 13 (305 to 330), incl 20⁄32 (15.87) 14⁄32 (11.00) 8⁄64 (3.17)
8.1 The manufacturer shall afford the purchaser’s inspector
Over 13 to 14 (330 to 356), incl 23⁄32 (18.25) 15⁄32 (11.91) 8⁄64 (3.17)

Over 14 to 15 (356 to 381), incl 23⁄32 (18.25) 16⁄32 (12.70) 9⁄64 (3.57)
all reasonable facilities necessary to satisfy him that the
Over 15 to 16 (381 to 406), incl 26⁄32 (20.64) 17⁄32 (13.49) 9⁄64 (3.57) material is being produced and furnished in accordance with
Over 16 to 17 (406 to 431), incl 26⁄32 (20.64) 18⁄32 (14.28) 10⁄36 (3.97)
this specification. Source inspection by the purchaser shall not
Over 17 to 18 (431 to 457), incl 29⁄32 (23.01) 19⁄32 (15.08) 10⁄64 (3.97)

Over 18 to 19 (457 to 483), incl 29⁄32 (23.01) 20⁄32 (15.87) 11⁄64 (4.37)
interfere unnecessarily with the manufacturer’s operations. All
Over 19 to 20 (483 to 508), incl 1 (25.40) 21⁄32 (16.67) 11⁄64 (4.37) tests and inspections shall be made at the place of manufacture
Over 20 to 21 (508 to 533), incl 1 (25.40) 22⁄32 (17.46) 12⁄64 (4.76)
unless otherwise agreed to.
Over 21 to 22 (533 to 559), incl 1 ⁄32 (27.78)
3 23⁄32 (18.25) 12⁄64 (4.76)

Over 22 to 23 (559 to 584), incl 13⁄32 (27.78) 24⁄32 (19.05) 13⁄64 (5.16) 8.2 The purchaser may make tests to govern the acceptance
Over 23 to 24 (584 to 610), incl 16⁄32 (30.16) 25⁄32 (19.84) 13⁄64 (5.16)
or rejection in his own laboratory or elsewhere. Such tests,
Over 24 to 25 (610 to 635), incl 16⁄32 (30.16) 26⁄32 (20.64) 14⁄64 (5.56)

Over 25 to 26 (635 to 661), incl 19⁄32 (32.54) 27⁄32 (21.43) 14⁄64 (5.56) however, shall be made at the expense of the purchaser.
Over 26 to 27 (661 to 685), incl 19⁄32 (32.54) 28⁄32 (22.22) 15⁄64 (5.96)

Over 27 to 28 (685 to 711), incl 112⁄32 (34.93) 29⁄32 (23.01) 15⁄64 (5.96)
9. Rejection and Rehearing
Over 28 to 29 (711 to 746), incl 112⁄32 (34.93) 30⁄32 (23.81) 16⁄64 (6.35)

Over 29 to 30 (746 to 772), incl 115⁄32 (37.19) 31⁄32 (24.61) 16⁄64 (6.35) 9.1 Rejection:
A
If two loads are specified, no tolerance shall apply to the free height. 9.1.1 Unless otherwise specified, any rejection based on
tests made in accordance with this specification shall be
reported to the manufacturer within 30 working days of receipt
6. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance of the springs by the purchaser.
6.1 Finish: 9.1.2 Individual springs that show injurious defects subse-
6.1.1 The surface of the spring shall be as furnished in the quent to inspection at the manufacturer’s plant or elsewhere
quenched and tempered condition. will be rejected and shall be replaced by the manufacturer.
6.1.2 The surface of the springs shall be free of injurious 9.2 Rehearing:
defects within the normal limitation of hot-coiled springs. 9.2.1 Samples that represent rejected material shall be
preserved for two weeks from the date of the test report. In case
7. Sampling and Conduct of Tests for Lot Inspection of dissatisfaction with the results of these tests, the manufac-
7.1 The springs shall be submitted singly or grouped as turer may make claim for a rehearing within that time.
shown by the drawings and shall conform to the drawings 9.3 Reworking:
within the permissible variations shown in 5.1.1 through 5.1.6 9.3.1 Material that fails to conform to the requirements as to
and 4.4.1 through 4.4.3. dimensions or mechanical tests may be again submitted after
7.2 The physical tests specified in 5.1.1 through 5.1.7.2 being reworked.
shall be conducted in the order specified. When lateral support
during the test is not required, the springs shall not be rapped 10. Marking
or otherwise disturbed during the tests. 10.1 The name or brand of the manufacturer and the month
7.3 The test load to be used in 5.1.1, 5.1.2, and 5.1.4 shall be and year of manufacture shall be legibly stamped on each
determined as follows: spring on bar sizes 11⁄16 in. (17.4 mm) and larger at a place not
7.3.1 If the uncorrected solid stress (see 5.1.7.2) is not more detrimental to the life or service of the spring.
than 100 000 psi (690 MPa) for carbon steel and 115 000 psi
(795 MPa) for alloy steel, the test load shall be that load which 11. Keywords
is sufficient to bring all coils in contact. In no case, however, 11.1 steel springs

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Fri Apr 16 00:25:00 EDT 2021
4
Downloaded/printed by
changhoon kang (westek) pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.
 A125 − 96 (2018)
SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

The following supplementary requirements shall apply only when individually specified by the
purchaser. When details of these requirements are not covered herein, they are subject to agreement
between the manufacturer and purchaser.

S1. Tapered and Squared Ends (Not Ground) to the steel shotpeening blast while protecting the other side from the
shotpeening. The strip curvature, caused by the peening of one side only,
S1.1 The ends of the bar shall be properly tapered to give is measured by means of a special micrometer dial gage (Almen No. 2).
the finished spring a reasonably firm bearing. The points of the The depth of curvature so measured, is designated as the intensity. The
bar shall be in approximate contact with the adjacent coil, and coverage is determined by visual examination of the peened surface of the
shall not protrude beyond the maximum permissible outside test strip at 10× magnification. Coverage is defined as the percentage of
uniform denting or obliteration of the original surface of the test strip.
diameter of the spring, as established by Table 2. S3.3 Because of the wide scope of spring sizes, bar diameters, and
S1.2 All springs with ends not ground having a mean spring applications, higher intensities and coverage may be desirable, in
diameter-to-bar diameter ratio of 3.5 or over and having a free which case the intensities and coverage are subject to agreement between
purchaser and manufacturer.
height-to-mean diameter ratio of not less than 1 nor more than
4 shall not deviate from perpendicular more than shown in S4. Special Surface Finishes
Table S1.1. This is determined by standing the spring on its end S4.1 For closer control over spring characteristics and
and measuring the angular deviation of a straightedge along the increased fatigue strength, the use of material with special
outer helix from a perpendicular to the plate on which the surface finish may be specified, subject to special agreement
spring is standing. between purchaser and manufacturer.
S2. Magnetic Particle Inspection S5. Protective Finishes
S2.1 When specified, magnetic particle inspection shall be S5.1 When specified, the springs will be coated with a good
employed for locating surface cracks and defects such as seams grade of corrosion preventative, suitable for temporary outdoor
and similar irregularities. The methods and procedures for such storage. The application of special coatings, plating, etc. for
inspection shall be in accordance with Guide E709. Acceptable protection in environmental conditions shall be a matter of
depth of defects shall be a matter of agreement between the agreement between the manufacturer and purchaser.
manufacturer and purchaser.
S6. Load Rate
S3. Shotpeening S6.1 The average load rate shall be determined by dividing
S3.1 When specified, shotpeening may be employed to the difference in recorded loads at 20 % and 60 % of the
increase the fatigue strength of the springs. nominal total travel by the measured deflection between these
S3.2 The minimum requirement for intensity and coverage two points. The average load rate is not subject to checking
shall be 0.006 in. (0.15 mm) and 90 % visual coverage as unless a tolerance is specified. When a tolerance is specified, it
measured on an Almen C strip (Note S1). A test strip is to be shall be 610 % on springs with five or more total turns and a
located on the inside of a suitable test spring. matter of agreement on springs with fewer than five coils.
NOTE S1—The Almen C test strip is a hardened steel strip 0.0938 in. S7. Special Load Requirements
(2.38 mm) thick made to close dimensional, flatness, and hardness limits.
This strip is mounted on a special holder exposing one side of the test strip S7.1 With respect to loaded heights, if the tolerance is
placed on the load rather than the height dimension, it shall be
TABLE S1.1 Permissible Out-of-Squareness, Springs with between 20 % and 80 % of calculated solid capacity and be no
Unground Ends less than 65 % of the calculated solid capacity of the spring.
Mean Diameter, in. (mm) Deviation, deg S7.2 Only two of the following parameters: solid height,
free height, load rate, load at a height, or a different load at a
Up to 2 (51), incl 31⁄2 height, may be specified and the remaining parameters will be
Over 2 to 4 (51 to 102), incl 3
Over 4 to 6 (102 to 152), incl 21⁄2 considered reference.
Over 6 to 8 (152 to 203), incl 21⁄2
Over 8 to 10 (203 to 254), incl 21⁄4 S8. Additional Tests
Over 10 to 12 (254 to 305), incl 21⁄4 S8.1 Any testing in addition to that prescribed in Section 5,
Over 12 to 14 (305 to 356), incl 21⁄4
Over 14 to 16 (356 to 406), incl 21⁄4 including the results of Paragraphs 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4, shall be a
matter of agreement between the manufacturer and purchaser.

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Fri Apr 16 00:25:00 EDT 2021
5
Downloaded/printed by
changhoon kang (westek) pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.
 A125 − 96 (2018)
ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.

This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or service@astm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org). Permission rights to photocopy the standard may also be secured from the Copyright Clearance Center, 222
Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, Tel: (978) 646-2600; http://www.copyright.com/

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Fri Apr 16 00:25:00 EDT 2021
6
Downloaded/printed by
changhoon kang (westek) pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.