Question about materials.

admin

Sorry if this isn't the right place but it is the best I could figure.I am trying to figure out if there would be any issue welding a coil of spring steel to a mild steel pipe.To explain the project better, I am cutting a perfect circle coil off the very top and bottom of the coil spring. Welding a pipe of nearly the same diamater to the top ring and a plate to the bottom ring.My question is will MIG welding mild steel to coil spring steel have any issues. Thanks.
Reply:Yes.  Long story short, the steel used to make coil springs is very high in carbon.  This makes welds very prone to cracking and breaking even under light pressure. I you can easily weld it on there with no issues, but hit it with a big hammer and the coil part will snap right off.  Pre-heat/post-heat will probably not help either.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:In addition to the danger of cracking mentioned above, if you heat a spring too hot (as you would by welding), it loses its "temper" (heat treating) which causes it to lose its "springiness."In general, springs and welding don't mix.