Ask the Expert - Small Wave Springs and Seal Rings

Welcome back to the Ask the Expert Blog, where our engineers answer commonly asked ring and spring design questions. This week, our experts field some questions about different uses of Smalley springs and rings. We discusses various applications for our line of retaining rings, how they can be adapted to different uses, and when it might be better to select a different product. The expert also talks about some of Smalley’s customization capabilities.

For more than 100 years, Smalley has been the industry leader and technological pioneer of retaining rings and constant section rings. And for more than 50 years, Smalley has been revolutionizing the industry with compact wave springs. Whether you require a standard or custom solution, our dedicated team of engineers can design a solution for your target application performance. 

How small can a wave spring be manufactured and still function in my application? 

If our smallest off-the-shelf .188 in. (5 mm) diameter wave spring is too big, Smalley can reliably edgewind custom Crest-to-Crest wave springs with diameters as small as .157 in. (4 mm). Depending on the necessary work height(s) and load(s), such small wave springs could be a great fit and perform well in your application. At these small diameters, and given the size of the wire relative to the rest of the design and tolerances, every design parameter can have a significant effect on the final design’s performance. 

Smalley’s dedicated engineering staff is available to discuss your specific application and help you design the right spring for your needs.

Can a Spirolox retaining ring function as a seal in my application? 

Spirolox retaining rings are not designed to be used as a seal. Smalley’s Laminar Seal Rings, however, are designed
to seal out contaminants, such as particles and debris.

Laminar Seal Rings consist of multiple, metal rings in a groove, oriented in a specific configuration to create a
difficult path for contaminants to get through, known as a labyrinth. Because Laminar Seal Rings are made of
metal, they are able to withstand high temperatures and corrosive environments.

A stronger “seal” can be created using different standard configurations we offer. For more information, take a look at our Laminar Seal Rings page or contact a Smalley engineer.

That’s all for now. In the next installment of Ask the Expert, you will learn about Spirolox reusability and the usefulness of Smalley Sales Engineers.  

Do you have your own question to Ask the Expert? Submit it at Smalley.com/ask-expert today.