10. Glossary

Characteristic ; caractéristique

Law linking force P (or torque C) to deflection.

Shot peening; shot peening

The process of violently striking the metal surface with a multitude of small balls to generate residual compressive stresses favorable to the fatigue life of the part.

Patented

Materials heat-treated in a first lead bath at high temperature (austenitization) and in a second bath at lower temperature (to obtain a sorbite structure).

Preconforming; prestressing

Pre-forming involves deliberately working the spring beyond its elastic limit (usually in 2 or 3 stages), before putting it into operation on the system, to obtain a given state of residual stress. As a result of plastic deformation, the spring's dimensions...