Buy Springs Online in Australia
What is a spring?
A spring is a mechanical component that stores and releases energy through elastic deformation. Springs resist a force — pushing apart, pulling together, twisting, or bending — and return to their original shape when the force is released. AIMS Industrial stocks compression, extension, torsion and assortment-kit springs in 316 stainless and carbon steel from Champion, GJ Works and Workshop Buddy.
What are the main types of springs?
The most common industrial types are compression springs (resist pushing together), extension springs (resist pulling apart), torsion springs (resist twisting), leaf springs (resist bending) and gas springs (gas-charged for controlled extension). Each type carries load in a different direction.
What material should an industrial spring be made from?
316 stainless steel is used for wet, marine, food-grade and corrosive environments. Carbon steel is used for dry workshop and indoor applications where cost matters more than corrosion resistance. Music wire (oil-tempered) is used for high-cycle, dry-service work.
Spring Selection — Quick Reference
Industrial springs are selected by type (compression/extension/torsion), material (316SS/carbon steel/music wire), wire diameter, free length, and load rating. AIMS stocks Champion CCS/SSCCS, GJ Works, and Workshop Buddy assortment kits in 316 stainless and carbon steel.
| Spring Type | Force Direction | Common Use | Material Choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compression Spring | Resists pushing-together | Valve returns, jig clamps, shock absorption, machine bases | 316SS for corrosive/wet, carbon steel for workshop dry |
| Extension Spring | Resists pulling-apart | Door latches, brake returns, garage doors, tension assemblies | 316SS for outdoor, carbon for indoor mechanism |
| Torsion Spring | Resists twisting (radial force) | Hinges, mouse traps, return-to-position mechanisms | Music wire / spring steel — high cycle life |
| Leaf Spring | Resists bending (cantilever) | Trailer + suspension, machine clamps | Heat-treated spring steel |
| Disc / Belleville Spring | Axial preload (small movement, high force) | Bolted joint preload, bearing preload, clutch packs | Spring steel, stainless |
| Gas Spring (Gas Strut) | Sealed N₂ — slow controlled extension | Cabinet lids, ute canopies, machine guards, office furniture | Sealed unit — sized by force + stroke |
| Constant Force Spring | Uniform pulling force across stroke | Cable retract reels, counterbalance, retractor mechanisms | Stainless or spring steel rolled strip |
Material: 316 stainless = wet/marine/food + corrosive — DO NOT use plain carbon steel in wet service or it'll rust in weeks. Music wire (oil-tempered) = high cycle life, dry service. Sizing: wire diameter + coil OD + free length + load at compressed length must match application. Brands: Champion, GJ Works, Workshop Buddy. Companion: types of springs guide, compression spring guide.
Industrial Springs — Compression & Extension Springs
AIMS Industrial sells industrial springs in 316 stainless steel and carbon steel — covering compression springs, extension springs and assortment kits in a range of coil diameters and free lengths from Champion, GJ Works and Workshop Buddy. Springs are used across engineering maintenance, fluid power, toolmaking, valve actuation and general fabrication wherever reliable return force, load resistance or cushioning is required.
Spring Types We Stock
Compression Springs — 316 Stainless Steel
Champion CCS and SSCCS series compression springs in 316 stainless steel. Compression springs resist being pushed together and are used in return mechanisms, valve actuation, jig clamping and shock absorption applications. The 316 stainless grade offers superior corrosion resistance in wet, chemical and marine environments — suitable for food-grade machinery, outdoor equipment and harsh industrial applications where carbon steel would corrode.
Extension Springs — 316 Stainless Steel
Champion SSCES and standard extension springs with formed hooks. Extension springs resist being pulled apart and are used for tensioning, return mechanisms and counterbalancing in machinery and equipment. Hooks allow quick attachment to machinery frames and assembly points without additional hardware.
Carbon Steel Springs
In addition to stainless steel variants, Champion CCS series compression and extension springs in carbon steel are available for standard dry-environment applications where cost is a priority over corrosion resistance. GJ Works supplies additional spring configurations suited to workshop and industrial maintenance use. Workshop Buddy assortment kits include mixed spring sizes for maintenance teams requiring a broad selection on hand.
Assortment Kits
The Champion CA101 48-piece extension spring assortment and CA102 72-piece compression spring assortment from Champion are designed for workshops and maintenance teams needing a broad range of spring sizes on hand without individual ordering. A compression spring assortment refill pack keeps the CA102 kit restocked — reducing downtime when a specific spring is consumed in a repair.
How to Select the Right Spring
Compression vs extension: Compression springs resist being pushed together — used in return mechanisms, valve actuation and shock absorption. Extension springs resist being pulled apart — used for tensioning and return applications where the spring must pull components together.
316 stainless vs carbon steel: 316 stainless steel springs offer superior corrosion resistance for wet, chemical, food-grade and marine environments. Carbon steel springs are suitable for dry, indoor applications where minimising cost per piece is the priority.
Free length and coil diameter: Match the free length and outer coil diameter to your application's dimensional constraints. Check individual product listings for spring rate, wire diameter, end configuration and maximum load capacity.
Spring rate (stiffness): Spring rate is expressed in N/mm (newtons per millimetre). A higher spring rate means more force is required to compress or extend the spring by a given amount. Match the spring rate to your application's load requirement to avoid premature fatigue or inadequate return force.
Kits for maintenance teams: Assortment kits are the most practical choice for maintenance workshops — a broad range of sizes means the right spring is on hand when a repair is needed without delays in replenishment.
Australian Business, Local Supply: As a proudly Australian business since 1988, we stock locally and work with trusted local Australian manufacturers and distributors to ensure fast, reliable supply.
Expert Support: Need help buying the right product for your application? Contact our team for application-specific advice or request a quote. Should you require custom springs for an application, we may also be able to assist.
Also see our Fasteners, Workshop Tools & Equipment and Construction Hardware ranges for complementary products.
People Also Ask — Industrial Springs
Q: What's the difference between compression, extension, and torsion springs?
Compression springs resist a pushing force — they're the most common industrial spring, found in valves, suspensions, and assemblies that need to absorb load. Extension springs resist a pulling force, typically with hooks or loops at each end. Torsion springs resist rotational force — they twist about their axis when loaded. Each type has different design rules: never substitute one for another, the load directions are different.
Q: Which spring material is right for outdoor or wet applications?
Stainless steel (typically 302, 304, or 316) handles wet and outdoor environments without corrosion. Music wire is the workshop standard for indoor or oil-bathed environments but rusts quickly outdoors. For high-fatigue applications in corrosive conditions, chrome-silicon or chrome-vanadium alloy steel offers stronger fatigue life but still needs corrosion protection. For chemical exposure, check the specific compatibility rather than defaulting to stainless.
Q: How do I measure a spring for replacement?
Measure the wire diameter, the outside diameter of the coil, the free length (uncompressed length), and the number of active coils. For compression springs also note end types (closed and ground, closed only, open). For extension and torsion springs the hook or end geometry matters as much as the dimensions. Calipers and a steady hand are usually enough — a kit of common sizes lets you match the most replacement jobs.
Q: What does spring rate mean and why does it matter?
Spring rate is the force required to compress or extend the spring by one unit of length, usually expressed in N/mm. A higher rate means a stiffer spring. Two springs with the same dimensions can have different rates if their material and wire diameter differ. When replacing a spring, the rate matters more than the dimensions for the assembly to behave correctly — particularly in valves and load-supporting applications.
Q: Can a fatigued spring be reused?
No. Once a spring has been cycled enough to lose its set length or rate, it can't be reset by stretching or compressing further — the metal fatigue is permanent. Signs of fatigue: free length has reduced by more than a few percent, the spring takes a 'set' under previously normal load, surface cracks appear, or load-deflection feels uneven. Replace fatigued springs in pairs where they work together (vehicle suspensions, valve pairs).
Q: What standards apply to industrial compression and extension springs?
DIN 2098 covers dimensional standards for cold-formed compression springs. DIN 17223 (superseded by EN 10270) covers the wire material specifications for spring steel — patented cold-drawn unalloyed spring steel wire. Music wire (piano wire) follows ASTM A228. Stainless spring wire follows ASTM A313. For fastener-preload disc springs, DIN 6796 (heavy-duty) and DIN 2093 (Belleville) specify dimensions and load characteristics. When ordering a replacement, matching the standard alongside dimensions ensures the spring performs to the original design.
Q: What is hydrogen embrittlement risk on plated springs?
Electroplating high-strength spring steel (zinc, cadmium, chrome) drives hydrogen into the steel structure. Under stress, that hydrogen concentrates at defects and can cause sudden brittle fracture — often days or weeks after installation. Springs above about 1,000 MPa tensile strength are at risk. Mitigation is a low-temperature bake (190-220 degrees C) within 4 hours of plating to drive out the hydrogen. For high-cycle or safety-critical springs, mechanical zinc coating or phosphate-and-oil finishes avoid the risk entirely.
Q: What is a Belleville (disc) spring used for?
Belleville springs are conical washers that carry high axial preload over a small deflection — the opposite of a coil spring's low-load-long-travel profile. Common uses: bolted joint preload maintenance (particularly in bearing preload adjustment, valve stem seats, and clutch packs), and heavy machinery vibration damping. Stacked in series they multiply travel; stacked in parallel they multiply load. Manufactured to DIN 2093, they're the go-to when you need constant preload in a compact axial space — see our types of springs guide for stack configurations.
Q: Can I get custom springs made, or do I need to use off-the-shelf?
For low-quantity replacement work, off-the-shelf springs from the assortment kits cover most workshop needs. For custom applications — non-standard wire diameter, specific spring rate, unusual end configurations, exotic materials — Australian spring manufacturers produce custom runs at reasonable minimum order quantities. Contact us with your required spring rate, working load, dimensional constraints, and cycle life target — we can source custom springs from local manufacturers within standard lead times.
Q: What temperature effects should I consider for spring selection?
Carbon and alloy spring steels lose fatigue life above 120 degrees C. For sustained service above 200 degrees C, choose Inconel X-750 or similar heat-resistant alloys — significantly more expensive but hold their spring rate through hundreds of degrees. Stainless 316 handles 260 degrees C without significant loss. At the cold end, brittleness increases below -30 degrees C for standard spring steel; use stainless or specific low-temperature grades below that. Always confirm the spring's operating temperature range against the application's worst-case exposure.