In order to ensure the reliable operation of the spring, the material must not only meet the high strength limit and yield limit, but also have high spring limit, fatigue limit, impact toughness, plasticity and good heat treatment process. In practice, spring steel is the most widely used, and its varieties include carbon spring steel, low manganese spring steel and chromium vanadium steel.
 
The selection of spring materials must fully consider the use, importance, load nature, size, cycle characteristics, working temperature, surrounding medium and other service conditions of the spring, as well as processing, heat treatment, economy and other factors, so as to make the selection results consistent with the actual requirements. Steel is the most commonly used spring material. When the stress is small and anti-corrosion / anti magnetism and other characteristics are required, non-ferrous metals can be used. In addition, there are springs made of non-metallic materials, such as rubber, plastic, cork and air.
 
Carbon spring steel (such as 65, 70 steel): cheap, convenient source, but low elastic limit;
 
Low manganese spring steel (such as 65Mn): good hardenability, high strength, easy to crack after quenching;
 
Silicon manganese spring steel (such as 60Si2MnA): high elastic limit, good tempering stability and good mechanical properties;
 
Chrome vanadium steel (such as 50CrVA): it has good fatigue and impact resistance and is expensive. It is used in occasions with high requirements.