If you’ve ever sourced wave springs, you know how easy it is to get tripped up by small details. A client called me last month frustrated because the wave springs he bought from a new overseas vendor were supposed to last 10,000 load cycles, but failed after just 1,200. When I pulled the samples apart, it turned out they were made from overly thin 301 stainless steel and had uneven wave heights—neither of which met any formal standard. That call got me thinking: how many people in industrial procurement realize there actually are standards for wave springs? As someone who’s been a wave spring supplier for 12 years, I don’t just sell parts; I’ve seen firsthand how working with or ignoring these standards can make or break a project. Let’s break down what those standards actually cover, why they matter, and how to use them to avoid costly mistakes. Wave Spring
First, let’s get one thing clear: wave springs aren’t just random flat pieces of metal with waves cut into them. They’re precision components engineered to replace heavier, bulkier coiled springs in tight spaces, from automotive transmissions to medical devices to heavy industrial pumps. For decades, there was no universal set of rules for their design, materials, or testing—vendors could call anything a “wave spring” and sell it. That started to change in the late 1990s, when the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) began developing targeted standards specifically for these parts, rather than lumping them in with general compression springs.
The most widely referenced standard in North America is ASME SPH-2-2020: Specification for Wave Springs and Retaining Rings. I keep a dog-eared copy of this in my office, and it’s what I pull up for every new client project. What makes this standard useful is that it doesn’t just lay out dimensions—it defines three core types of wave springs based on their application: heavy series, light series, and thin series. Heavy series springs are for high-load, low-cycle applications, like securing heavy machinery components; light series are for low-load, high-cycle use, like medical device actuators. The standard even specifies exact tolerances for each series: for a 1-inch diameter heavy wave spring, wave height can’t vary more than ±0.002 inches from the printed spec. That tolerance isn’t arbitrary—uneven wave height creates uneven load distribution, which is exactly what caused that client’s springs to fail. If a vendor delivers springs outside that tolerance, you can’t trust them to perform to design.
ISO has a corresponding standard, ISO 16151:2018, which aligns closely with ASME SPH-2-2020 but adds some region-specific testing requirements for Europe. For example, ISO 16151 mandates salt spray testing for corrosion resistance when springs are used in outdoor or marine applications, a requirement that many smaller vendors skip to cut costs. I had a client in Germany a couple years ago who specified ISO 16151, and a local supplier tried to sell him springs made from 304 stainless steel instead of the required 316 grade, saving them 15% on the material cost. My client caught the discrepancy by cross-referencing the standard’s material specs, and ended up going with us. That’s the thing about standards: they’re only useful if you know how to check against them, not just trust a vendor’s sales pitch.
Beyond design and materials, standards cover testing procedures that separate reliable wave springs from disposable ones. ASME SPH-2-2020 outlines specific load testing protocols: how to apply force at a consistent rate, how long to hold the load, and how much deflection (the amount the spring compresses) is allowed before it’s considered defective. Another key point: the standard requires testing for spring rate consistency, which is the relationship between load and deflection. A good wave spring should have a linear spring rate across its operating range, meaning every millimeter of compression adds a predictable amount of force. Cheap springs often have inconsistent wave spacing, which creates a non-linear rate—one part of the spring will be too soft, another too stiff—leading to premature failure in use. I test every batch of springs we ship using the exact test protocol laid out in ASME SPH-2-2020, and I give clients a test certificate with each order. That’s a non-negotiable part of doing business for us, because standards aren’t just rules—they’re proof that a part will work as intended.
Now, I’ll be honest: not every application needs to adhere to a formal standard. If you’re building a one-off prototype in your garage, a custom-cut piece of metal might work fine. But if you’re manufacturing a product that will be used hundreds or thousands of times, by consumers or in critical industrial equipment, standards are non-negotiable. Let’s take automotive engine components, for example. A wave spring in a transmission can cycle millions of times over the life of the vehicle. If that spring doesn’t meet ASME or ISO standards, it could wear down, leading to a transmission failure that leaves drivers stranded. I work with a major truck manufacturer that’s been using our wave springs for 8 years, and their engineering team audits our production every quarter to make sure we’re still meeting the standard’s tolerances. It’s extra work for both sides, but it saves them from recalls and lost revenue.
I’ve also seen cases where companies avoid standards to cut costs, and it always backfires. A construction equipment company I worked with a few years ago tried to source wave springs from a supplier that didn’t follow ASME standards. They saved 20% on the initial order, but within a year, they had 30% more warranty claims on parts using those springs. When they tested the cheap springs, they found the wave height tolerance was off by 0.008 inches—four times the ASME limit. That meant the springs didn’t generate enough load to secure the components, leading to wear and failure. They ended up spending more on warranty repairs than they saved on the initial order, and switched to using only standard-compliant springs after that.
Of course, standards aren’t perfect. They’re updated every few years as new materials and technologies emerge, so it’s important to use the latest version. For example, the 2020 update to ASME SPH-2-2020 added specifications for wave springs made from advanced high-strength steel, which are lighter and more durable than traditional stainless steel for high-load applications. Many small vendors don’t update their processes to match these changes, so it’s up to buyers to confirm that a supplier is using the current standard. As a supplier, I make sure our team is trained on the latest ASME and ISO standards, and I include the standard number on every product datasheet we send clients. That transparency builds trust, which is why repeat business makes up 70% of our sales.
So, how do you know if a wave spring is standard-compliant? First, ask for the standard number it’s designed to meet—whether ASME SPH-2-2020, ISO 16151, or another industry-specific standard like the Aerospace Industries Association’s (AIA) standards for aerospace applications. Next, request material test reports confirming the grade of steel or other material used—don’t take a vendor’s word that it’s 316 stainless. Finally, ask for load and deflection test results to verify it meets the spring rate tolerance laid out in the standard. If a vendor can’t provide these documents, that’s a red flag.
At the end of the day, standards exist to protect both suppliers and buyers. They eliminate ambiguity, reduce risk, and make sure wave springs perform as they’re supposed to. I’ve been in this industry long enough to know that cutting corners on standards might save you a little money upfront, but it will almost always cost you more in the long run—whether that’s warranty claims, product failures, or lost clients.
If you’re working on a project that requires wave springs and want to make sure they meet the right standards, or if you’ve had issues with faulty springs in the past, I’m here to help. We design and manufacture wave springs in compliance with all major international standards, and we provide full test documentation with every order. Whether you need a custom spring for a one-off prototype or high-volume springs for mass production, we can work with you to make sure your components are reliable, durable, and up to code. Reach out to our team to discuss your project requirements and get a detailed quote today.
Special Spring References
ASME SPH-2-2020: Specification for Wave Springs and Retaining Rings
ISO 16151:2018: Spring components — Wave springs — Dimensions, tolerances, and loads
AIA-NAS 1518: Aerospace standard specification for wave springs and spring rings
Shengzhou Deyuxiang Hardware Accessories Co., Ltd.
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