Single-turn
one layerSingle-turn ring (< 360°).
Typical applicationShort travel · low-to-medium forces
Wave spring washers
Uniform, stable axial load in assemblies where radial space is tight and the required deflection is small.
Profile
wave · uniform axial load
Types
single-turn · multi-turn
Engineering support
in-house engineering since 1975
01
What a wave spring washer is
A wave spring washer —referred to simply as a wave spring in international technical terminology— is an elastic element formed from edge-wound flat wire, with a series of waves (crests and troughs) around its circumference. That wave geometry is what generates the load: as it is compressed, the crests yield progressively and return a uniform axial thrust around the full circumference.
Its natural field of application is assemblies where radial space is tight and the required deflection is small: the washer provides the axial thrust needed without taking up additional space:
- Mechanical seals and precision bearings with axial preload.
- Low-profile hydraulic and pneumatic valves and actuators.
- Compact assemblies where the available height limits the design.
They are classified by the number of layers or turns of material: single-turn (a single turn of material) and multi-turn (several wave turns stacked in series within one continuous piece).
side elevation
02
Types · single-turn and multi-turn
Wave spring washers are classified by the number of layers or turns of material. The choice depends on the required travel, the load and the available space.
Single-turn with gap
free endsEnds separated by a gap.
Typical applicationPreload in grooves · axial tolerance
Single-turn with overlap
overlapOverlapping ends.
Typical applicationGreater bearing surface in a single turn
Multi-turn
crest-to-crestSeveral wave turns stacked in series in one continuous part.
Typical applicationLarge deflections · wide load range
Multi-turn shim ends
flat endsWave turns with the ends flattened to 360°.
Typical applicationBetter load distribution over adjacent parts
Multi-turn advantage
The multi-turn is equivalent to stacking several wave washers in series, but formed as a single continuous piece: the crests keep their position with no positioning keys or intermediate shims. It reduces the risk of incorrect assembly and simplifies fitting compared to stacking individual wave washers.
03
Wave geometry and working heights
Every wave spring washer is defined by three heights: the free height (H₀), unloaded; the working height (H₁), at which it must operate inside the housing; and the solid height, at which the waves are flattened out and the part loses its elastic travel.
Sizing the washer means setting the working height so that the resulting load is the one the assembly needs, always within the elastic range of the material.
Rule of thumb · working height
The washer must work within its elastic range. Compressing it below its recommended working height may cause it to take a set (permanent set) and the force to become unpredictable.
Shall we talk about your project?
Tell us about your use case and our engineering team will advise you on choosing the optimal solution.
04
Materials · by operating environment
Wave spring washers are made in different materials depending on the working environment: corrosion, temperature and cleanliness requirements. For high-stress and fatigue applications, stainless steel and precipitation-hardened alloys offer the best performance.
High-carbon steel
Standard material, optimal cost.
Stainless 17-7 PH
UNS S17700 · AMS 5528High mechanical and fatigue strength.
Stainless AISI 302 / 304
General corrosion resistance.
Inconel 718
AMS 5596High temperature and corrosive environments.
Hastelloy C276
Extreme chemical resistance.
Beryllium copper
Electrical conductivity · marine environments.
Selection
In corrosive or high-temperature environments, nickel superalloys such as Inconel and Hastelloy retain their elastic properties where a standard steel would fail.
05
Industrial applications
Wave spring washers are used in any assembly requiring axial preload or compensation in a confined space.
Mechanical seals
Sealing faces
They keep the contact pressure constant between the sealing faces throughout the life of the assembly.
Valves and actuators
Hydraulic · pneumatic
Preload and return in compact spaces where the available axial height is minimal.
Precision bearings
Axial preload
Axial preload to eliminate clearance and reduce noise and vibration in the assembly.
Electrical connectors
Conductive contact
Continuous, constant contact between conductive surfaces, compensating for thermal expansion.
Medical devices
Surgical instrumentation
Preload in low-profile assemblies with strict cleanliness and biocompatibility requirements.
Transmissions
Clutch · tolerances
Clutch assemblies and axial tolerance compensation in gearboxes and rotating assemblies.
06
Manufacturing · standardized and custom
In addition to standardized sizes, Surisa manufactures fully custom wave spring washers, adjusting load, deflection, internal and external diameter, number of waves and number of turns. This delivers the exact combination of force and travel each application needs.
For sizing your application —load, deflection, internal/external diameter and number of waves—, Surisa's technical team, a specialized manufacturer since 1975, offers free engineering support.
07
Frequently asked questions
01 What is a wave spring washer used for?
It is used to generate a uniform, stable axial load in assemblies where radial space is tight and the required deflection is small. Its most common application is ball bearing preload, where it takes up clearance and reduces noise and vibration. It is also used in mechanical seals, low-profile valves and actuators, electrical connectors and compact assemblies where precise axial thrust is critical.
02 What is the difference between a single-turn and a multi-turn wave spring washer?
The single-turn (one layer) is a single-coil ring, ideal for short travel and low-to-medium forces. The multi-turn (multi-layer or crest-to-crest) is made up of several wave turns stacked in series in a single continuous piece, allowing large deflections and a wide load range. The multi-turn is equivalent to stacking several washers in series, but with no need for shims or positioning keys between pieces.
03 What materials can wave spring washers be made from?
In carbon steel (standard), stainless steel (17-7 PH UNS S17700, AISI 302/304), and high-performance alloys such as Inconel 718 (AMS 5596) and Hastelloy C276 for corrosive or high-temperature environments. For high-stress and fatigue applications, stainless steel and precipitation-hardened alloys offer the best performance. The choice depends on the operating temperature, the corrosiveness of the environment and the cleanliness requirements.
04 What are shim ends on a wave spring washer?
Shim ends are flattened 360° ends instead of terminating in a wave crest. They provide a full contact surface versus the point contact of plain ends, distributing the load more evenly across the adjacent pieces of the assembly. They are recommended when the surface the washer bears against is sensitive to point contact or when better assembly alignment is required.
05 Can wave spring washers be made to custom specifications?
Yes. In addition to standardized sizes, Surisa manufactures fully custom wave spring washers by adjusting load, deflection, internal and external diameter, number of waves and number of turns. This delivers the exact combination of force and travel each application needs. For sizing, the technical team offers free engineering support.
Need technical help?
Send us load, deflection, diameters and available height — we'll get back to you with the optimal standardized or custom wave spring washer. Free engineering support, manufacturer since 1975.