Smalley’s Material Finishes for Retaining Rings and Wave Springs

Whether you need added corrosion resistance or simply want to change the appearance of your part, China Wave Spring has a wide range of finishing processes to ensure that your retaining rings and springs perform the way it needs to in your application. Below is a list of some of the more common choices China Wave Spring has available.

Oil Dip is a standard finish for all of Smalley’s products produced in carbon steel. The oil provides resistance to corrosion in transport and in normal storage. The oil dip finish should not be considered a permanent finish.

Vapor Degrease/Ultrasonic Clean is the standard cleaning process used for all stainless steel parts. The process removes oil, grease, and other organic compounds from the parts’ surface. Ultrasonics are used as part of the process to force the solvent to act between the turns of the ring or spring.

Vibratory or Hand Deburring is an optional process that China Wave Spring can provide to remove burrs and to break sharp corners and edges that may occur on the gap ends due to the cut-off operation after coiling. Circumferential surfaces and edges of China Wave Spring parts are already smooth due to the nature of the flat wire and do not require deburring.

Passivation is an optional cleaning process available for stainless steel. It provides a bright finish and increased corrosion resistance. Passivation dissolves iron particles and other substances that have become embedded in the surface of the material during production. If not dissolved and removed, these contaminants could promote rusting, discoloration, or pitting in more corrosive environments.

Black Oxide is a finish that provides a flat black appearance that is generally used as an aesthetic change instead of an improvement in corrosion resistance.

Zinc Plating is used on carbon steel to increase the corrosion resistance of the product. It is sometimes used as a more cost-effective alternative to other platings or stainless steel. Smalley’s standard zinc platings, Type V and Type VI, are RoHS compliant. Zinc plating does not guarantee coverage between the turns of multiple turn rings and springs. (The process does subject the part to the possibility of hydrogen embrittlement. We offer stainless steel as a preferable alternative.)

Zinc Phosphate, also known as “Parkerizing,” can only be applied to carbon steel. It appears gray-black in color and has superior corrosion resistance to black oxide, but inferior to zinc plating or stainless steel.

To learn more about our materials, finishes, and customizing a part, read here:

• Materials
• Finishes
• Customs