When Extension Springs are required in Grade 8.8 Steel, the alternative grades and the trade-offs between them matter as much as the dimensions. This page covers both, plus mechanical and corrosion data.
Why Choose Grade 8.8 Steel for Extension Springs
The workhorse medium-carbon alloy grade for structural joints. For extension springs, this matters when requires plating (zinc) for corrosion protection is the primary requirement.
Mechanical & Physical Properties
| Grade designation | class 8.8 |
|---|---|
| Magnetic response | Magnetic |
| Service temperature | up to approx. +300 °C |
| Corrosion characteristic | Requires plating (zinc) for corrosion protection |
Corrosion Behavior in Service
Carbon and alloy steel extension springs require a coating for corrosion protection. Zinc plating (with or without passivation) is the most common; hot-dip galvanizing is used for outdoor structural service; black-oxide is mainly a tarnish-prevention finish for tool-room use.
Comparable Grades
For Extension Springs, class 10.9 or 12.9 is the comparable strength step. Move up when the joint preload approaches the proof load of the current class; move down when the joint is over-specified. For corrosion-critical service, switch to stainless A2 or A4.
Sizes of Extension Springs Available in Grade 8.8 Steel
| Wire dia d (mm) | Inner diameter Di (mm) | Outer diameter De (mm) | Free length Lo (mm) | Active coils n | Initial tension Fi (N) | Rate k (N/mm) | Material | Reference standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 20 | 12 | 10 | 0.7 | Spring steel | DIN 2097 / EN 15800 |
| 0.6 | 4.5 | 5.7 | 25 | 12 | 15 | 1.2 | Spring steel | DIN 2097 / EN 15800 |
| 0.8 | 5.5 | 7.1 | 30 | 12 | 30 | 2.5 | Spring steel | DIN 2097 / EN 15800 |
| 1.0 | 7.0 | 9.0 | 40 | 15 | 45 | 3.5 | Spring steel | DIN 2097 / EN 15800 |
| 1.2 | 8.5 | 10.9 | 50 | 15 | 70 | 6.0 | Spring steel | DIN 2097 / EN 15800 |
| 1.5 | 11.0 | 14.0 | 60 | 15 | 100 | 8.0 | Spring steel | DIN 2097 / EN 15800 |
| 2.0 | 13.0 | 17.0 | 80 | 15 | 200 | 16.0 | Spring steel | DIN 2097 / EN 15800 |
| 2.5 | 17.0 | 22.0 | 100 | 15 | 380 | 30.0 | Spring steel | DIN 2097 / EN 15800 |
| 3.0 | 22.0 | 28.0 | 120 | 15 | 680 | 55.0 | Spring steel | DIN 2097 / EN 15800 |
| 4.0 | 28.0 | 36.0 | 160 | 15 | 1500 | 120.0 | Spring steel | DIN 2097 / EN 15800 |
| 5.0 | 36.0 | 46.0 | 200 | 15 | 2900 | 210.0 | Spring steel | DIN 2097 / EN 15800 |
| 6.0 | 46.0 | 58.0 | 250 | 15 | 5200 | 380.0 | Spring steel | DIN 2097 / EN 15800 |