Wave Springs - The Compact Alternative When Space Is Tight

When axial space is limited, a standard coil spring often won't fit. Wave springs solve this problem by delivering the same load in roughly half the installed height. For engineers working on compact assemblies, they are one of the most practical tools in the spring catalog.

This guide explains how wave springs work, what specifications matter, and when they are the right choice over a conventional coil spring.

What Is a Wave Spring?

A wave spring is a flat wire spring formed into a series of waves around a circular ring. Instead of a helical coil, the spring compresses axially as the waves flatten under load. The result is a spring that fits into a narrow groove or housing and delivers a well-defined load at a precise deflection.

Wave springs are manufactured from flat wire – typically spring steel or stainless steel – and are available in single-turn and multi-turn versions depending on the required load and travel.

The Space Advantage

The most important reason to specify a wave spring is axial space saving. Compared to a standard coil compression spring with identical load and outer diameter, a wave spring typically requires 40–50% less installed height.

This matters in applications where the assembly envelope is fixed – for example:

• Bearing preload in gearboxes and electric motors
• Piston seal retention in hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders
• Clutch and brake assemblies
• Valve closing mechanisms

In these cases, replacing a coil spring with a wave spring can eliminate the need to redesign the housing entirely.

Key Specifications

When specifying a wave spring, the following dimensions and parameters apply:

Outer ø (Do) — The wave spring sits inside a bore or housing. The hole diameter must fit within the bore with a small clearance, typically 0.1–0.3 mm depending on application.

Inner ø (Di) — Must clear any shaft or inner component the spring sits around. Check that the shaft diameter does not contact the shaft under compression.

Free length (L0) — The unloaded length of the spring. This determines the maximum installed axial space the spring requires.

Loaded length (L1) — The compressed length at the specified working load. The difference between free length and working length is the working deflection.

Force at L1 (F1) — The force the spring exerts at the compressed working length. This must match the preload or closing force your application requires.

Number of waves (N) — More waves per turn distribute the load more evenly and reduce contact stress on mating components. Standard catalog springs range from 3 to 6 waves per turn.

Number of coils (n) — Single-coil springs are the most compact. Multi-coil springs (2–4 coils) allow greater deflection and load range in the same hole diameter.

Material

Wave springs follow the same material selection logic as coil springs:

• Spring steel (EN 10270-1) — Standard choice for indoor, dry, or lightly corrosive environments. Lower cost, higher tensile strength.
• Stainless steel (X10CrNi18-8, EN 10270-3) — Required for humid, outdoor, food, pharmaceutical, or chemical environments. Slightly lower strength, no surface treatment needed.

For guidance on choosing between spring steel and stainless steel, see our earlier article on spring materials.

When to Use a Wave Spring

Wave springs are the right choice when:

• Axial space is constrained and a standard coil spring does not fit the assembly
• Load and deflection requirements are moderate (wave springs are not suited to very high loads or long strokes)
• The application requires consistent preload in a bearing, seal, or valve
• Radial space is generous but axial space is not

Wave springs are not the right choice when:

• Very high load is required (standard coil or die springs perform better)
• Long deflection travel is needed (wave springs are designed for short working strokes)
• Cost is the only driver and space is not constrained (a standard coil spring is cheaper)

Fitting a Wave Spring

Wave springs are installed in a bore or between two parallel surfaces. The outer diameter locates the spring radially inside the housing bore. In bearing preload applications, the spring sits between the bearing outer ring and a shoulder or snap ring.

Key installation checks:

• Confirm the bore diameter allows Do to seat without binding
• Confirm the shaft clears Di under full compression
• Verify the free length fits the available axial space before assembly closes

Wave Springs in the AxiSpring Catalog

AxiSpring stocks wave springs in spring steel and stainless steel across a range of hole diameters, free lengths, and load ratings. All specifications – hole diameter, shaft diameter, free length, force at loaded length, and wave count – are listed in full in the catalog.

Browse the wave spring collection at axispring.com to find the right spring for your assembly.

Not sure which wave spring fits your application? Contact us and we will help you select the right dimension based on your hole diameter, shaft diameter, available length, and load requirement.