Drag to rotate 3D view; slider simulates compression travel. Schematic representation only; refer to technical drawings and load ratings for actual design.
Classifying the Three Product Families: Standards are NOT Interchangeable
A frequent cause of procurement confusion is applying fastener washer standards or disc spring standards to precision flat-wire wave springs.
Always verify whether your design requires a coiled wave spring (JB/T 13296), a stamped wave washer (GB/T 94.3), or a mechanical seal spring (JB/T 11958).
| Standard Code | Title | Scope of Application | Manufacturing Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| JB/T 13296-2017 | Technical Specifications for Wave Springs | Single-turn & multi-turn flat wire wave springs | Continuous flat-wire CNC coiling |
| GB/T 94.3-2008 | Wave Spring Washers | Light duty bolt locking & gap take-up washers | Sheet metal progressive stamping |
| JB/T 11958-2014 | Spiral Coiled Wave Springs for Mechanical Seals | Pump and agitator mechanical face seals | Corrosion-resistant flat wire coiling |
| DIN 2093 | Disc Springs (Belleville Springs) | Conical heavy-tonnage disc springs | Stamping/machining (NOT wave springs) |
What JB/T 13296-2017 Governs
JB/T 13296-2017 is the primary Chinese industrial standard for precision wave springs. It defines:
1. Dimensional Tolerances: Outer diameter (OD), inner diameter (ID), strip thickness (t), and free height (H0).
2. Load & Spring Rate Verification: Test methods for measuring force (P1, P2) at assigned working heights.
3. Permanent Set Testing: Verifies that after 3 compressions to solid height, free height reduction does not exceed 1.5%.
Understanding GB/T 94.3-2008 for Wave Washers
GB/T 94.3-2008 covers stamped annular wave washers with 3 crests. These parts are punched from sheet metal rather than coiled, and are intended primarily for bolt preloading and bearing axial clearance take-up in commercial consumer hardware.
International Standards Landscape
Internationally, there is no single ISO standard dedicated exclusively to coiled wave springs. Most multinational manufacturers reference proprietary manufacturer standards (such as TOSTA / Smalley aerospace engineering criteria), or adapt DIN 2095 / ISO 10243 testing protocols for load tolerance certification.
How to Properly Specify a Wave Spring on Engineering Drawings
To ensure smooth fabrication and zero ambiguity, your 2D manufacturing drawing should include the following parameters in the title block:
- Bore Diameter (Hole) and Shaft Diameter (Rod) with fit tolerances.
- Material Grade and Heat Treatment Condition (e.g. 17-7PH Condition CH900).
- Working Height (H1) and Required Load (P1 +/- 10%).
- Maximum Solid Height (Hs max).
- Number of Active Waves (N) and Active Turns.
Four Frequent Standard Specification Errors
1. Over-constraining Free Height, Working Height, AND Solid Height simultaneously without tolerance slack.
2. Citing DIN 2093 for a wave spring (DIN 2093 applies strictly to Belleville conical disc springs).
3. Omitting the plating thickness allowance on outer and inner diameter clearances.
4. Specifying zero permissible load tolerance; commercial standard load tolerance is typically +/- 10%.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the standard tolerance for wave spring load under JB/T 13296?
- Standard load tolerance is +/- 10% at the specified working height. For precision laboratory instruments, TOSTA can calibrate tolerances down to +/- 5% upon request.
- Does TOSTA comply with RoHS and REACH regulations?
- Yes. All TOSTA standard and custom spring materials comply fully with EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.
- Can TOSTA supply material certs and 3.1 inspection reports?
- Yes. Every production batch is backed by EN 10204 3.1 raw material test certificates and dimensional/load verification reports.
- How is wave spring free height measured under standard procedures?
- Free height is measured using a non-contact optical comparator or by applying a minimal tare load (0.5N to 2N) on a precision spring tester to stabilize wave crest contact.
Related Engineering Guides
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