Spring material in Deepwater use
Spring material in Deepwater use
(OP)
Does anyone have suggestions/comments on the 17-7 material below for use in a spring (clock style I think they call the type) for use in 10,000 ft seawater?
17-7 PH Stainless Steel Strip, Condition A per AMS 5528
17-7 PH Stainless Steel Strip, Condition A per AMS 5528





RE: Spring material in Deepwater use
RE: Spring material in Deepwater use
I wouldn't use 17-7 in seawater. Maybe 13-8. This alloy has the best corrosion resistance in the H950 condition (highest strength).
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Plymouth Tube
RE: Spring material in Deepwater use
RE: Spring material in Deepwater use
RE: Spring material in Deepwater use
Steve Jones
Corrosion Management Consultant
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/8/83b/b04
All answers are personal opinions only and are in no way connected with any employer.
RE: Spring material in Deepwater use
Location would be inside a tool rated for use in 10'000 ft ocean depth; temp is at 40 degF. The spring would be subjected to slightly filtered seawater (a screen only keeping out larger particles. It is configured just as a clock spring. Can't say much more without breaching confidentiality.
Totally understand if you are unwilling to comment further.
RE: Spring material in Deepwater use
Elgiloy was developed by the Elgin watch company for use in springs. It is now owned by ELP.
It is a very special small lot material, but very strong and great corrosion resistance.
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Plymouth Tube
RE: Spring material in Deepwater use
RE: Spring material in Deepwater use
What kind of life expectancy do you have for this spring? 17-7 even in the proper condition (CH900, TH1100, etc.) will not have good corrosion resistance in seawater, and will fail due to corrosion fatigue due to surface pitting or crevice corrosion. Elgiloy is certainly the best option for performance, but cost and availability is not so good.
RE: Spring material in Deepwater use
You do need to design at lower stress values because you are in seawater to avoid the risk of CSCC.
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Plymouth Tube
RE: Spring material in Deepwater use
This will not be for permanent installation; down at depth for usually a few days at a time, maybe 3 weeks tops on any one run. Then it would be brought up and could be cleaned if that would help. These will mostly be used for over 2000' water at minimum.
Availability of Elgiloy has been checked and nowhere near the supply dependability to consider.
It would however be preferable that, at these service intervals, the spring not need replacement more than once every two years.
The galvanic protection is interesting. Would you envision just attaching a strap to any one point on the spring, or is does galvanic action increase with increasing surface contact area?
It sounds like 17-7 is out and I will move forward with 13-8PH or a5-7PH selections; most likely balanced against price.
Thanks to "Da Botya's" help! I will come back to report what I find searching these new materials.
RE: Spring material in Deepwater use