Materials for disc springs
and Belleville washers

From standard carbon and chrome-vanadium spring steels to nickel-based superalloys such as Inconel 718 or Nimonic 90, covering ranges from −260 °C to +700 °C, corrosive environments, and non-magnetic applications. The choice of material determines the modulus of elasticity, the permissible stresses, and the service life of the spring.

Technical enquiry
FIG · working temperature ranges by material
Working temperature range by material
Total range
−260 °C / +800 °C
Non-magnetic
Inconel · Nimonic · Ti
Engineering support
Free of charge · since 1974
01

Which materials are used in disc springs?

Disc springs — also called Belleville washers or Belleville springs — are high-precision components that operate under demanding dynamic loads. Their material is no secondary choice. In international technical terminology, these components are known as disc springs or Belleville washers, and the material selection criteria (spring steel, stainless, high-temperature alloy, nickel superalloy) are the same in any market.

It determines the modulus of elasticity used in the calculation, the maximum permissible stresses, the working temperature range, and the resistance to corrosion or magnetism.

There are four main material families, ordered from least to most specialized. The vast majority of general industrial applications are covered by the standard spring steels defined by DIN 2093; nickel-based superalloys and non-ferrous materials are reserved for extreme conditions.

01 · STD

Standard spring steels

DIN 2093 / DIN EN 16983 standard

Carbon and chrome-vanadium steel

T°
−40 °C / +200 °C

Vast majority of general industrial applications

02 · INOX

Stainless steels

Austenitic and precipitation-hardened

1.4310 · 1.4401 · 1.4568 · 1.4122

T°
−240 °C / +350 °C

Moisture · mild acids · corrosive environments

03 · HOT

High-temperature steels

Cr-Mo-V / W-Cr-V alloy steels

1.2323 · 1.2567 · 1.4923 · X35CrMo17

T°
hasta +500 °C

Continuous operation > 200 °C

04 · SUPER

Special alloys

Superalloys · non-ferrous

Inconel · Nimonic · TiAl6V4 · CuBe2

T°
−260 °C / +800 °C

Cryogenics · non-magnetic · severe corrosion

02

Standard steels · DIN 2093 / DIN EN 16983

These are the base materials defined by the DIN 2093 / DIN EN 16983 standard for manufacturing disc springs. The choice between them depends on the thickness of the part.

They are used with a purity grade far higher than required by the standard: sulfur content ≤ 0.016% and phosphorus ≤ 0.020%. This control of impurities is essential to guarantee fatigue life and the repeatability of the elastic properties over time.

Material Designation · Mat. no. Equivalent Application
Carbon steel CK67 / 1.1231 SAE 1070 Thicknesses < 1.25 mm
Chrome-vanadium steel 51CrV4 / 1.8159 SAE 6150 Thicknesses ≥ 1.25 mm
03

Stainless steels for disc springs

Reference standard · DIN 17.224

These are used when the working environment involves moisture, corrosive agents, or indoor/outdoor conditions that would make standard spring steel unsuitable even with a coating.

The modulus of elasticity of austenitic stainless steel is roughly 15–20% lower than that of carbon or chrome-vanadium steel. For the same geometry, the spring will generate less force — it is essential to factor this value into the calculation.

— For thicknesses up to 2 mm

Material Designation · Mat. no. AISI Note
Austenitic stainless steel X10CrNi18-8 / 1.4310 AISI 301 Standard for thicknesses ≤ 2 mm
Molybdenum-bearing stainless steel X5CrNiMo17-12-2 / 1.4401 AISI 316 Better against chlorides · slightly magnetic

— For greater thicknesses · precipitation-hardened

Material Designation · Mat. no. AISI Note
Precipitation-hardened stainless steel X7CrNiAl17-7 / 1.4568 AISI 631 / 17-7 PH −240 °C to +300 °C · cryogenic-capable
Martensitic stainless steel X39CrMo17-1 / 1.4122 — For high mechanical strength

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04

High-temperature steels

When the working temperature exceeds 200–250 °C, standard steels lose mechanical properties. The modulus of elasticity drops with temperature in every material, which can cause spring relaxation beyond permissible ratios. In these cases, a redesign of the spring may be necessary.

When sizing with these materials, the spring's working stresses must be calculated against the lower strength that these steels offer at the highest temperatures. Otherwise, spring relaxation will exceed the permissible ratios.

Material Nº de material Maximum temperature
48CrMoV6-7 1.2323 up to 300 °C
X7CrNiAl17-7 (17-7 PH) 1.4568 up to 350 °C
X30WCrV5-3 1.2567 up to 400 °C
X39CrMo17-1 (X35CrMo17) 1.4122 up to 450 °C
X22CrMoV12-1 1.4923 up to 500 °C
05

Special alloys · high temperature · cryogenics · non-magnetic

For extreme conditions that no stainless steel can cover, nickel-based superalloys and non-ferrous alloys are used. They are the benchmark for applications with high temperature, highly corrosive atmospheres, and a strict non-magnetic requirement — essential in electrotechnical applications.

— Nickel-based superalloys (Inconel · Nimonic)

Material Designation / Standard Max. temp.
Nimonic 90 (NiCr20Co18Ti) 2.4632 / AMS 5829 up to 800 °C
Inconel 718 (NiCr19NbMo) 2.4668 / AMS 5596 / DIN 65021 up to 700 °C
Inconel X750 (NiCr15Fe7TiAl) 2.4669 / AMS 5598 up to 600 °C
Duratherm 600 Co 40 · Ni 26 · Cr 12 + Mo, W, Ti, Al, Fe up to 500 °C

— Non-ferrous materials · non-magnetic and cryogenic

CuBe2

Beryllium copper

CuBe2 / 2.1247

A non-ferrous material with a modulus of elasticity considerably lower than spring steel. It stands out for its excellent electrical conductivity and its behavior at very low temperatures. Common in electrical connections and cryogenic environments.

+ Pros

  • Electrically conductive
  • Cryogenic-capable (< −200 °C)
  • Non-magnetic

− Cons

  • Lower modulus E
  • High cost

TiAl6V4

Titanium TiAl6V4

TiAl6V4 / 3.7165

A Grade 5 titanium alloy with a high strength-to-weight ratio. Biocompatible and highly corrosion-resistant, including to seawater. Common in aerospace, medical, and marine applications.

+ Pros

  • High strength-to-weight ratio
  • Biocompatible · medical grade
  • Resistant to marine NaCl
  • Non-magnetic

− Cons

  • Modulus E lower than steel
  • Very high cost
06

How to choose the material · 4 criteria

Material selection depends on four main criteria. In every case, the modulus of elasticity of the chosen material must be factored into the spring calculations, since it varies significantly between material groups and drops as temperature rises.

01

Working temperature

What is the maximum (and minimum) temperature in service?

Standard steels have a practical limit of ~200 °C; above that, special steels or superalloys are needed.

02

Corrosion resistance

Is the environment corrosive (moisture, acids, salinity)?

Stainless steels cover most cases; for severe corrosion or aggressive acids, nickel-based superalloys.

03

Magnetism

Electrotechnical application or no magnetic field allowed?

Nickel-based superalloys (Inconel, Nimonic) and titanium are non-magnetic.

04

Spring thickness

What is the thickness of the part?

Austenitic stainless steels are limited to ≤ 2 mm. For greater thickness: 17-7 PH, 1.4122, or special steels.

— Indicative decision table

Situation Recommended material Note
Working temperature > 200 °C High-temperature steels (1.2323 → 1.4923) Recalculate E and σ at the actual temperature
Working temperature > 500 °C Nickel-based superalloys (Inconel · Nimonic) Up to +800 °C with Nimonic 90
Deep cryogenics (< −200 °C) Inconel 718 · CuBe2 Retain toughness
Corrosive environment with moisture Austenitic stainless steel (1.4310 / 1.4401) Limited to t ≤ 2 mm
Thickness > 2 mm with corrosion resistance 17-7 PH (1.4568) · 1.4122 Precipitation-hardened
Highly corrosive atmosphere · acid gas Inconel 718 / X750 Beyond stainless steel
Strict non-magnetic requirement Inconel · Nimonic · TiAl6V4 Electrotechnical applications · MRI
Electrical conduction + spring Beryllium copper CuBe2 Electrical connections

— Modulus of elasticity by temperature

Modulus E by temperature · common materials

Indicative values of modulus E (kN/mm²) at different service temperatures. The modulus drops with temperature — use the value corresponding to the actual working temperature when sizing the spring.

Recommended material 20 °C100 °C200 °C300 °C 400 °C500 °C600 °C700 °C
1.4310 (AISI 301) 190185—— ————
1.4568 (17-7 PH) 200195185175 165———
2.4668 (Inconel 718) 200195190184 178172167160

— Complete technical tables

Chemical composition and physical properties

Complete tables of chemical composition and mechanical properties for all available materials, including modulus of elasticity, yield strength, and service temperature range.

— Complement to the material

Anti-corrosion coatings

As a complement to the material — or sometimes as an alternative — surface coatings can be applied to extend the corrosion resistance of any spring: phosphating · galvanizing · Geomet · polyamide · Ni-P.

See the full page →
07

Frequently asked questions

01 Which material should I use for a disc spring operating above 400 °C?

For temperatures between 400 °C and 500 °C, the common materials are X22CrMoV12-1 (1.4923) or X39CrMo17-1 (1.4122). Above 500 °C, you need to turn to nickel-based superalloys such as Inconel 718 (up to 700 °C) or Nimonic 90 (up to 800 °C). In any case, the sizing must recalculate the permissible stresses and the modulus of elasticity at the actual working temperature, since both decrease with temperature.

02 Is stainless steel suitable for cryogenic disc springs?

Yes. Austenitic stainless steels such as AISI 301 (1.4310) and 17-7 PH (1.4568) retain their mechanical properties down to −240 °C, and Inconel 718 works from −240 °C. For temperatures below −200 °C (deep cryogenics), Inconel 718 or CuBe2 (beryllium copper) are the most suitable options.

03 When is a non-magnetic disc spring required?

Non-magnetic springs are required in electrotechnical applications, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment, precision instrumentation, sensors, and environments with magnetic fields that must not interfere with the component. Nickel superalloys (Inconel 718, Inconel X750, Nimonic 90) and titanium are the common non-magnetic materials for these applications.

04 Why does stainless steel have a different modulus of elasticity than standard spring steel?

The modulus of elasticity (Young's modulus) of austenitic stainless steel is roughly 15–20% lower than that of standard carbon or chrome-vanadium steel. This means that, for the same geometry, a stainless steel spring will generate less force than a standard steel one. That is why it is essential to use the correct modulus of elasticity of the selected material in all spring design calculations.

05 Can a disc spring be manufactured in a material not included in these lists?

Yes. In addition to the materials listed, disc springs can be manufactured in special materials on request: A286, Custom 450, 17-4 PH, Waspaloy, phosphor bronze (510), H-13 steel, and others, depending on the project requirements. These are non-standard productions — they involve dedicated manufacturing with longer lead times and higher cost, so they are justified only when standard materials do not meet the application's requirements. Contact our technical team to study the feasibility and conditions.

Let's talk about your project

Tell us about your use case and our engineering team will advise you on choosing the optimal solution.

Contact the technical team