Do I Need to Stress Relieve My Small Torsion Springs Made from Music Wire?

[Deadwood]

Newbie here...I'm making small torsion springs from .009" O.D. spring-temper carbon steel wire also known a music wire from the supplier.
I don't have the material in my hands yet so I don't know if it is coated. They will only be something like .045" I.D. x .060" long with two legs.

My question is, do I need to stress relieve the springs...I don't see that this is critical for my application but would like some feed back.

 

[FredGarvin]

Usually after a heavy cold working to form something, a heat treat is performed to bring back some ductility.

 

[oswaler]

I would recommend stress relieving the small torsion springs made from music wire, even though it may not be critical for your specific application. Stress relieving is a process that involves heating the material to a specific temperature and then cooling it slowly to reduce internal stresses and improve the material's mechanical properties. This can help prevent potential failures in the springs due to residual stresses.

In the case of music wire, it is typically a high carbon steel wire that has been drawn to a very small diameter. This process can introduce internal stresses in the wire, and stress relieving can help reduce these stresses and improve the wire's strength and durability. Additionally, if the wire is coated, the stress relieving process can also help to remove any potential coating defects or inconsistencies that may affect the performance of the springs.

While it may not be critical for your specific application, stress relieving can still benefit the overall quality and longevity of the springs. It is always best to err on the side of caution and follow best practices in manufacturing to ensure the best possible outcome. I would suggest consulting with your supplier or seeking the advice of a materials expert for specific recommendations on the stress relieving process for your music wire springs.