×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

elastomer for spring

elastomer for spring

elastomer for spring

(OP)
Hi All,

I'm thinking about using TPE/elastomer material as a spring, like wave washer or flat spring. Has anyone done something like this? creep might be an issue? how do you predict spring force?

thanks,
Lee

RE: elastomer for spring

A plastic belleville washer makes an exquisite end play adjuster in an electric motor. The trick is selecting the right material. I used acetal in one application. Relaxation will occur as with any plastic.

RE: elastomer for spring

Acetal is normally the best choice for a spring where thermoplastics are used and the temperatures are moderate. There is a very extensive precedent in the use of acetal for springs in things like in return springs for the keys on keyboards, springs in retractable ball point pens etc.

If higher temperatures are seen, and thermosets are viable, then anything that cross-links, like polyurethane, silicone or rubber, will tend to have better creep resistance. Rubbers and urethanes are used as load bearing bushes in cars, and the original Mini Minor had rubber springs for suspension.

Regards
pat   pprimmer@acay.com.au
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources