Posted by: Brian Rothstein
on February 23, 2023 | 6 min. read
on February 23, 2023 | 6 min. read
Spring steel, commonly referred to as annealed spring steel, has always been a workhorse material in manufacturing. Its role in 2026 looks remarkably different than it did just a few years ago. You'll still find it in traditional springs and fasteners, but today's engineers are specifying spring steel for electric vehicle suspension systems that handle significantly heavier battery loads, precision medical instruments, and even renewable energy infrastructure.
The numbers tell the story: the global spring steel market is projected to reach $20.2 billion by 2032, driven by a 5.78% annual growth rate. For procurement professionals and manufacturing engineers, understanding which spring steel grade fits your specific application — whether it's AISI 1050 for maximum formability or AISI 1095 for superior strength — has become more critical than ever.
Unique Properties of Spring Steel
First, though, let's start with the basics. Spring steel has many unique properties that make it ideal for producing springs and other similar components, including:
- Resilience — Spring steel is highly resilient and can return to its original shapes after being bent or stretched.
- Hardness and durability — Spring steel can support heavy loads without breaking. Additionally, it can withstand that weather and tear over a long period of time.
- Elasticity — Spring steel can be formed, shaped, and post-heat treated without losing its shape.
- Corrosion resistance — With a high corrosion resistance, spring steel is well-suited for use in harsh conditions.
ANNEALED SPRING STEEL VARIETIES
Mead Metals carries annealed spring steel in three varieties, distinguished by their carbon content:
- AISI 1050 — AISI 1050 has the lowest carbon content, making it easily formable. It also can be heat treated in order to increase hardness.
- AISI 1074 and 1075 — AISI 1074/1075 have a medium carbon content that has been spheroidized to increase formability and can be heat treated.
- AISI 1095 — AISI 1095 has the highest carbon content of the spring steels available. It can be heat treated and has the highest elasticity and fatigue values.
You can view the physical and chemical properties of our annealed spring steel varieties here.
Common Spring Steel Products
As a general-use steel, spring steel has a wide range of commercial applications. You can find it in just about any piece of manufacturing equipment, including:
- Clips & fasteners — With high-strength and good fatigue resistance, spring steel is ideal for creating clips and fasteners that hold things together.
- Springs — From everyday machinery to vehicular parts, spring steel is most commonly used to create coil springs, compression springs, torsion springs, and leaf springs.
- Medical equipment — Spring steel is often used to create medical instruments, like surgical tools and orthodontic appliances.
- Machinery — Spring steel is used for manufacturing machinery and equipment, from lawnmowers and aircraft to conveyers and pumps.
- Hand tools — With its high strength, spring steel is perfect for producing strong, durable tools like pliers, wrenches, and scissors.
2026's High-Growth Spring Steel Applications
- Electric Vehicle Components — Spring steel now plays a crucial role in EV manufacturing, particularly in suspension systems that must handle significantly higher gross vehicle weight ratings. Chrome silicon alloys (ASTM A401, A1000) and chrome vanadium grades (ASTM A231, A232) are specifically engineered for EV applications requiring superior load capacity and fatigue resistance.
- Renewable Energy Systems — Wind turbines and solar infrastructure rely on spring steel components for:
- Turbine spring mechanisms
- Solar panel tracking systems
- Energy storage system components
Spring Steel in 2026: Market Growth & Emerging Applications
The spring steel industry is experiencing transformative growth driven by three major trends:
Electric Vehicle Revolution
The EV market's explosive growth has created unprecedented demand for high-performance spring steel. Electric vehicles require suspension systems with 15%–25% higher load capacity compared to traditional ICE vehicles due to battery weight. Advanced high-strength spring steel grades are now critical for: - EV suspension springs with enhanced load ratings - Battery enclosure components requiring impact resistance - Chassis reinforcement systems - Electrical motor components
Sustainability & Green Manufacturing
In 2026, manufacturers increasingly prioritize eco-friendly production. Spring steel's 100% recyclability and advances in green steel production (using Direct Reduced Iron technology and electric arc furnaces) make it the sustainable choice for forward-thinking companies. The circular steel economy means spring steel can be recycled indefinitely without losing its properties.
Industry 4.0 & Precision Manufacturing
Smart manufacturing technologies have revolutionized spring steel production, enabling: - Real-time quality monitoring - Predictive maintenance reducing waste - Greater precision in custom specifications - Reduced material waste through optimized processes
Selecting the Right Spring Steel Grade for Your Application
Different applications demand specific spring steel grades. Here's how to choose:
- For Formability & Cost-Effectiveness: AISI 1050
- Lowest carbon content (0.48-0.55%)
- Ideal for components requiring extensive forming
- Excellent heat treatment response
- Best for: general manufacturing, clips, brackets
- For Balanced Performance: AISI 1074/1075
- Medium carbon content (0.70-0.80%)
- Spheroidized for enhanced formability
- Superior fatigue resistance after heat treatment
- Best for: automotive springs, industrial machinery, hand tools
- For Maximum Strength & Elasticity: AISI 1095
- Highest carbon content (0.90-1.03%)
- Maximum elastic properties and fatigue values
- Exceptional spring-back characteristics
- Best for: high-stress applications, precision springs, critical components
Spring Steel Carried by Mead Metals
Mead Metals Inc. stocks annealed spring steel in an array of grades, including annealed spring steel sheet, offering sizes and quantities to match any requirements. Our annealed spring steel is available in thicknesses ranging from 0.010 to 0.187.
DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START?
At Mead Metals, we understand that your project has unique requirements and needs. With so many variations of spring steel, it can be hard to know where to start. The Mead Metal experts are ready to guide you through the selection process, ensuring you get the right product for your project every time.
