SAE J271-1998 PDF

Full title and description

SAE J271 — "Special Quality High‑Tensile, Hard‑Drawn Mechanical Spring Wire and Springs" (SAE Recommended Practice, J271, 1998). The document specifies chemical and mechanical requirements, restricted size tolerances, and processing recommendations for special‑quality high‑tensile, hard‑drawn carbon‑steel spring wire and springs used for highly stressed mechanical springs and wire forms.

Abstract

This SAE recommended practice defines the material, mechanical and chemical requirements, dimensional tolerances, and basic processing recommendations for hard‑drawn, high‑tensile carbon spring wire and the springs manufactured from it. It targets applications where restricted dimensional control and high tensile properties are required, typically for static or infrequently cycled load conditions. The document has been marked noncurrent/cancelled in SAE records.

General information

• Status: Cancelled / Noncurrent (document listed as cancelled in SAE records).
• Publication date: June 1998 (product code J271_199806).
• Publisher: SAE International (formerly Society of Automotive Engineers).
• ICS / categories: Springs; Spring steels — ICS 21.160 (Springs) and 77.140.25 (Spring steels); mechanical/metals product standards.
• Edition / version: 1998 edition (J271_199806); historical earlier editions published in 1994 and 1988 are recorded.
• Number of pages: 3 (short recommended practice document).

Key bibliographic/status details above are drawn from SAE mobilus and public catalog records.

Scope

SAE J271 covers the mechanical and chemical requirements for special‑quality high‑tensile, hard‑drawn carbon‑steel spring wire with restricted dimensional tolerances and the processing requirements for springs and wire forms fabricated from this wire. The practice is intended for springs used where tight size control and high tensile strength are required and is generally applied to components subject to static loads or infrequent stress repetitions. It also provides guidance on heat‑treatment/stress‑relief and surface condition considerations for finished springs.

Key topics and requirements

• Material: high‑tensile, hard‑drawn carbon‑steel spring wire with defined chemical composition limits.
• Mechanical requirements: tensile properties and hardness ranges appropriate for highly stressed springs.
• Dimensional control: restricted size tolerances for wire diameters used where close tolerances are required for spring performance.
• Processing guidance: recommended forming and stress‑relief practices for springs made from the wire (typical stress‑relief temperatures and timings are discussed to reduce residual stresses).
• Surface condition and finishing: recommendations to avoid surface defects; cautions on electroplating due to hydrogen embrittlement risk in some cases.

Technical specifics such as stress‑relief temperature ranges and plating cautions are noted in archived copies and practice summaries.

Typical use and users

Primary users are spring and wire manufacturers, component designers, materials and metallurgical engineers, OEMs (automotive and industrial equipment), and quality/inspection engineers who specify or produce high‑tensile mechanical springs and wire forms where controlled dimensions and mechanical performance are required.

Related standards

Commonly cross‑referenced standards and specifications for spring wire and springs include national and industry standards such as ASTM A227/A227M, ASTM A228 (music wire), ASTM A229 (oil‑tempered spring wire), ASTM A231/A232 (alloy spring wires), SAE spring‑wire and spring practice references, and ISO/EN spring standards (vocabulary and product standards). Cross‑reference lists for spring wire specifications show how SAE J‑series practices relate to ASTM and other designations.

Keywords

SAE J271, spring wire, hard‑drawn, high‑tensile, spring steels, mechanical springs, size tolerances, stress relief, hydrogen embrittlement, SAE Recommended Practice, cancelled

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: SAE J271 is an SAE Recommended Practice titled "Special Quality High‑Tensile, Hard‑Drawn Mechanical Spring Wire and Springs" that specifies requirements for hard‑drawn carbon‑steel spring wire and the springs produced from it.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers chemical and mechanical properties of the wire, restricted dimensional tolerances, processing recommendations for forming and stress‑relief of springs, and surface/finishing considerations relevant to highly stressed mechanical springs.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Spring manufacturers, component designers, OEMs (especially in automotive and industrial applications), materials engineers, and quality/inspection personnel who need standardized requirements for spring wire and resulting springs.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 1998 J271 entry is recorded as noncurrent/cancelled in SAE's catalog. Users should consult SAE mobilus or current SAE publications and applicable ASTM/ISO standards for up‑to‑date requirements and any successor documents or alternative specifications.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: J271 is part of SAE's J‑series of vehicle and component recommended practices and standards; historically it exists alongside other SAE metal/product practices and multiple earlier revisions (e.g., 1994, 1988) are recorded. For spring‑specific cross‑references, SAE J‑series practice references are often used together with ASTM and ISO spring and spring‑wire specifications.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords are: spring wire, hard‑drawn, high‑tensile, spring steels, mechanical springs, size tolerances, stress relief, surface condition, hydrogen embrittlement, SAE J271.