Where it earns its place
Best-Fit Uses
Circular electrical and grounding contacts
Maintains multiple contact points around a connector or conductive groove.
Detent and latching interfaces
Provides repeatable insertion, retention and release behavior in a machined circular groove.
Applying force around a circular interface
Provides distributed contact around a seal, groove or connector instead of pushing at one point.
Maintaining contact as diameter changes
Useful where a circular part must keep touching despite normal movement, wear or tolerance variation.
Why this style works here
What This Spring Style Solves
The angled coils provide many contact points around a circumference and can maintain a relatively controlled force through repeated deflection.
Before you choose it
What to Confirm in Your Assembly
- Provide groove width, depth and installed diameter with tolerances.
- State whether the priority is electrical contact, latching force, sealing force or a combination.
- Provide the installed diameter and groove or seal geometry, including tolerances.
- State whether the spring works radially, axially, electrically or as a latch/detent.
- Define the desired contact, insertion or sealing force in the actual installed condition.
Avoid forcing the wrong spring into the design
When Another Spring Style May Fit Better
Canted coil behavior depends strongly on installed squeeze. Small changes in groove depth or diameter can noticeably change insertion, retention or contact force.
- Garter springs for seal energizing
- EMI shielding springs for enclosure joints
- Flat spring contacts for non-circular electrical interfaces
Keep material selection separate
Environment & Material Direction
For seals and electrical contacts, the surrounding media and mating surfaces can drive material or plating choices. Use the Materials section for the base alloy and include interface finishes in the RFQ.
Move from the use case to the specification
Where to Go Next
Application questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can one canted coil spring provide both latching and electrical contact?
Sometimes, but force range, conductivity, plating and groove geometry must satisfy both roles. Neither requirement should be assumed from the other.
Why is groove geometry so important for circular springs?
The groove controls installed deflection and contact with the mating part. Small changes in depth, width or diameter can change sealing, contact or latching force even when the spring itself is unchanged.
What should I send for an application review?
Send the assembly drawing or a clear sketch, the working positions, the force or torque you need, expected cycles, environment and quantity. If an existing spring is being replaced, include its dimensions and explain what is not working well in the current design.
Same application family