Ask the Expert - Exotic Alloys

We’re back with another Ask the Expert blog, where Smalley experts answer difficult questions about designing retaining rings and wave springs. In this post, our engineers answer tough questions about material selection and how to know what exotic alloys are available.

What material would you recommend for a sub-sea application?

Smalley offers several materials ideal for subsea applications. 316 stainless steel products can withstand the corrosive effects of seawater. For higher corrosion resistance, Smalley products can also be manufactured in Inconel 718, Inconel X-750, and Monel K-500 just to name a few. Spiral retaining rings and wave springs in these materials are custom designs and are available with No-Tooling-Charges™.

I am working on a new project that requires all components to be manufactured out of non-magnetic material. What are my options when it comes to non-magnetic materials?

For applications that require truly non-magnetic components, we recommend using Beryllium Copper, Phosphor Bronze, or A-286 stainless steel, depending on the application. However, there are other non-magnetic materials available.  Typically, 302 and 316 stainless steel are thought to be non-magnetic materials, however, they both become slightly magnetic due to the cold working used to manufacture the flat wire. Contact a Smalley Engineer when selecting a non-magnetic material. We will work to ensure that you are getting the best material for your application.

My application requires that the retaining rings are plated for corrosion resistance. What types of corrosion resistant plating options do you offer?

Smalley offers cadmium, zinc, and nickel plating’s for our retaining rings. Smalley also offers zinc phosphate and black oxide coatings that can provide moderate corrosion resistance as well. It is important to consider the design of your retaining ring when plating is needed. If the ring has multiple turns or spirals, it can be difficult to ensure the plating/coating fully covers the surface between the turns. In these cases, we recommend manufacturing the retaining ring in a corrosion resistant material like 302 or 316 stainless steel. If higher temperatures are a concern, consider using 17-7 stainless steel, A-286 stainless steel, or Inconel. Check out our Material Selection Guide for help finding the right material for your application.

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