What is a retaining spring?
A retaining spring is a spring-shaped element manufactured from round or square spring steel wire. Due to its elastic properties and specific geometry, a retaining spring functions as a clamping or locking element between two mechanical components. Depending on the application, a retaining spring prevents connections from loosening, fixes components in place, or limits unwanted movement.
Many retaining springs are fully automatically coiled or stamped and are used across a wide range of industries. Common types include:
- Retaining clip: A U-shaped or C-shaped element that can be easily pushed onto a shaft or pin for quick, tool-free retention.
- Retaining pin (hairpin clip): A pin-shaped spring with a bent end, widely used in hinges or as an alternative to a split pin. Reusable and highly resistant to vibration.
- Retaining spring (classic type): A round, coiled spring that expands or snaps into a groove to block components axially or radially.
- Locking pin: A combination of a shaft and retaining spring in one product, often used in wheel suspensions, equipment couplings, or manually operated systems.
- Finger spring: A formed spring with multiple “fingers” that flexibly clamp or secure components, ideal for hose connections or tube constructions.
Applications of retaining springs
- Mechanical engineering: In mechanical engineering, retaining springs are used to mechanically secure rotating or sliding components, such as shafts, gears, levers, or covers. Thanks to their compact design and high spring force, retaining springs are ideal for dynamic systems subject to vibration, movement, or temperature fluctuations. They provide reliable retention without adhesives or welding and allow for quick assembly and disassembly, essential for maintenance and service operations.
- Agricultural: In demanding environments such as agriculture and earth-moving machinery, retaining springs are crucial for securing structural components exposed to dirt, moisture, and shocks. They are used, for example, to secure drawbars, lifting arms, engine covers, and cab brackets. Their robust design allows retaining springs to withstand heavy loads and continue functioning reliably in muddy, dusty, or wet conditions.
- HVAC technology: In ventilation and climate control systems, retaining springs, especially finger springs, provide simple, resilient fastening of flexible hoses and air ducts. Because they clamp without screw or welded connections, they are ideal for applications where vibration damping, reusability, or quick installation is required. They are widely used in air handling systems, extraction installations, and mobile units.
- Defence & Aerospace: In defence and aerospace systems, retaining springs offer a robust and space-saving solution for reliably securing critical components. Typical applications include locking service hatches, securing avionics housings, or fastening lightweight modules in UAVs. Due to their mechanical simplicity and high resistance to vibration, retaining springs are particularly suited to systems where ease of maintenance, weight reduction, and absolute reliability must come together, essential under operational conditions where every second counts.
Why choose retaining springs from De Spiraal?
At De Spiraal, we manufacture retaining springs that excel in reliability, resilience, and dimensional accuracy. Whether it is a simple retaining clip or a complex finger spring, each spring is precisely tailored to your application, with specific attention to clamping force, mounting position, and load conditions.
We work with high-quality materials such as stainless steel 1.4310, spring steel 1.1200, and phosphor bronze, depending on the demands of your environment or application. For special requirements, other alloys and spring materials are also available. Upon request, we are happy to advise you on the most suitable solution.
Thanks to modern production techniques such as coiling, bending, and CNC finishing, we guarantee consistent quality, from single pieces to series of thousands of components. Our engineers are involved from the design phase onward, translating your technical requirements into a functional retaining solution.
Advantages of retaining springs from De Spiraal
- Wide variety of types and sizes: From standard split pins and retaining rings to complex custom-made springs, suitable for a wide range of industries.
- High-precision customisation: Fully tailored to your application, including material selection, spring force, wire diameter, and mounting instructions.
- Broad material range: Options include spring steel 1.1200, stainless steel 1.4310, and phosphor bronze, matched to environmental conditions. Other materials and special alloys are available on request.
- Lightweight, compact retention solution: Retaining springs take up minimal space and are easy to install or remove without heavy tools.
- Fast delivery, even for single pieces: Thanks to efficient production processes and extensive stock, we ensure short lead times, ideal for repairs or prototyping.
Ordering a custom retaining spring?
Are you looking for a reliable spring for your mechanical application? Or do you have a specific confirmation situation for which standard solutions fall short? Then contact us, we are happy to advise you on material, resilience, attachment and longevity.
Contact us directly at +31 (0) 74 — 291 45 08
