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Compression Springs Compression Springs

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Wire Diameter
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Solid Height
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*Required Field
Extension Springs Extension Springs

Enter your Outside Diameter and Length Inside Hook
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Torsion Springs Torsion Springs

Enter your Outside Diameter and Total Coils
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Inside Diameter
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Free Position
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Wire Diameter
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Body Length
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Leg Length
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Material Type
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Conical Springs Conical Springs

Enter you Small Outside Diameter, Large Outside Diameter and Free Length
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Small Outside Diameter
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Large Outside Diameter
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Rate
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Total Coils
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Solid Height
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Wire Diameter
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Material Type
*Required Field

Garter Spring Design

What is a Garter Spring?

A garter spring is a coiled  compression spring or extension spring that's connected at its ends to form a perfect circle. It's designed to maintain constant pressure around an object, making it ideal for sealing applications like oil seals or shaft seals. Garter springs are flexible, durable, and commonly used in mechanical systems that require a tight, consistent radial force.

Connecting Garter Spring Ends

garter spring connector endsgarter spring connector ends
Connector Ends

Joining Oil Seal Spring Ends

garter spring loop connector endsgarter spring loop connector ends
Loop Connection

Joining Oil Seal Spring Ends

garter spring tapered connector endsgarter spring tapered connector ends
Tapered End Connection
 

Applications

The main use for garter springs or oil seal springs is to create a seal to maintain pressure within a cylinder. The garter spring or oils seal spring will compensate for changes in pressure and temperature within the object. They can also be used in electrical applications and motor belts. Garter springs are often hidden inside many applications where pressure needs to be maintained, such as the transmission in a car so many times we do not even know they are there.

garter spring redgarter spring red
oil seal spring purpleoil seal spring purple
garter spring bluegarter spring blue

Design Considerations

 

Since garter springs and oil seal springs are created by joining the male end into the female end, or by using connectors or loops on the ends of the garter spring to connect the garter spring ends. It's important that the two be joined with enough force that they will not separate during use.

Before you begin your garter spring design and contact a garter spring manufacturer you must know the following information:

  • What type of environment will this spring be in? The answer to this question will allow you to determine the correct wire type for your design.
  • You must know the outer and inner diameter of spring formed ring. Determine what your coil spring diameter needs to be and how much radial force you will need.
  • Max force being put on the garter spring. To determine your rate yourself, please see the following example:
    Example

    You have a 10.000-inch outer diameter and you need to open up the garter spring to an 11.000 diameter thus giving you 1.000 inch of radial travel. At this 11.000-inch diameter you require 50 lbs of force.

    Garter Spring Rate Formula
    50 lbs divided by Pie (3.14) = 15.923 lbs (your rate / inch)

    You need a 15.923 lbs/per inch extension spring to do the job.

  • How do I achieve many cycles of life for my garter spring? The optimum index for your spring is 6–10.

How to Measure Garter Springs

 

In order to measure a garter spring you will need a pair of dial or digital calipers. You will need to measure the outer diameter of the ring, the inner diameter of the ring, the wire diameter, the inner diameter of the male end and the outer diameter of the female end of the spring. To see how to measure garter springs properly please see the images below.

 

measure garter springmeasure garter spring
measure inner diameter of garter spring measure inner diameter of garter spring
measure oyter diameter of garter spring coilmeasure oyter diameter of garter spring coil

Plating and Coating

There are many different coating options for garter springs. Some will give the spring a deep cleaning and others may even lower the cost of the spring. For the most part adding plating will add to the cost of your garter spring but some times it is necessary for your application.

Some of your plating options are zinc plating, black oxide, nickel plating, electro-plating, and galvanized wire. Galvanized wire is one of the more economical choices because Acxess Spring will purchase the wire pre-coated so we do not have to send the spring out to be plated. The electro-plating will allow you to send a conductive charge through the wire for electrical applications.

Things to Consider

Acxess Spring has highly skilled engineers available to help you with your garter spring design. When you are determining wire types, load, fatigue, constraints, plating, etc, you can consult our engineers to help you answer some of the questions you may have.

Acxess Spring is here to help you from prototypes to production. We can manufacture garter springs from 0.006 WD to 0.100 in wire diameter. We are here to service you and we pride ourselves on our customer service.