Springs are usually made out of hardened steel. Small springs can be wound from pre-hardened stock, while larger ones are made from annealed steel and hardened after fabrication. Some non-ferrous metals are also used including phosphor bronze for parts requiring corrosion resistance and beryllium copper for springs carrying electrical current.

The most frequent use of springs is to supply motive power in a mechanism. Common examples are clock and watch springs, toy motors, and valve springs in auto engines. A special case of the spring as a source of motive power is its use for returning displaced mechanisms to their original positions, as in the door-closing device, the spring on the cam follower for an open cam, and the spring as a counterbalance. Frequently a spring in the form of a block of very elastic material such as rubber absorbs shock in a mechanism. Springs also serve an important function in vibration control.

Springs are used in heavy industrial equipment, food equipment, automotive component, electronic equipment, medical, and a host of other products. Spring design assistance is available to assist you in selecting the right type of spring for your application. Heavier industrial applications require large springs with high capacity loads and extreme strength and durability.

There are different types of springs available in the market. Compression which are the most common type, which can connect on to practically any device imaginable, torsion springs which can twist to support or provide give in complete assemblies and many others like coil springs, gas springs, flat springs, air springs, wire springs, leaf springs etc.

Coil springs are commonly used for the same purpose in automobiles. These coil springs have been replaced in some vehicles by torsion bars that absorb stresses by twisting. The helical coil springs provide the force to keep the operating surfaces together in the friction clutch.