Where it earns its place
Best-Fit Uses
Bearing and spacer take-up
Removes small axial clearance and keeps stacked parts seated across normal tolerance variation.
Compact seal, cap and connector preload
Maintains light axial contact in shallow circular assemblies.
Taking up axial clearance in a low-height assembly
Maintains contact around a shaft or inside a bore without the free height of a conventional compression coil.
Preloading bearings, seals or compact moving parts
Provides controlled axial force while leaving more room for neighboring components.
Why this style works here
What This Spring Style Solves
A single wave turn can take up clearance and maintain contact around a shaft or inside a bore with very little free height.
Before you choose it
What to Confirm in Your Assembly
- Provide shaft and bore diameters plus the available radial wall for the spring.
- State free height, installed height, installed load and maximum extra compression.
- Give the shaft, bore and radial-wall limits together with the installed height.
- State target load and the full working travel rather than choosing by free height alone.
- Tell us whether the spring rotates, rubs or remains stationary against neighboring parts.
Avoid forcing the wrong spring into the design
When Another Spring Style May Fit Better
A single-turn wave spring is intended for short travel. If the assembly needs substantial movement, a multi-turn wave or conventional compression spring may be more suitable.
- Multi-turn wave springs for more travel
- Wave washers for simple low-profile take-up
- Compression springs when more height is available
Keep material selection separate
Environment & Material Direction
Material choice can address corrosion or heat, but the reason for using a wave spring should come from packaging and travel. Compare alloys in the Materials section after those limits are established.
Move from the use case to the specification
Where to Go Next
Application questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much travel can a single-turn wave spring provide?
It is generally intended for relatively small axial movement. Usable travel depends on wave geometry, material and load, so installed and maximum heights should be supplied.
Can a wave spring replace a coil spring directly?
Not by matching outside dimensions alone. Wave springs use a different radial envelope and load-travel relationship, so the installed height, travel and surrounding shaft/bore should be reviewed as a new layout.
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