Leaf Spring Rate Calculator

How to Use This Calculator

1. Enter the width of your leaf spring in millimeters (mm).
2. Enter the thickness of your leaf spring in millimeters (mm).
3. Enter the number of leaves in the spring set.
4. Enter the Young's Modulus of the material (typically steel has a value around 200,000 MPa).
5. Click the "Calculate" button to compute the spring rate and equivalent deflection.

Understanding Leaf Spring Rate

The spring rate (k) represents how stiff the leaf spring is - specifically, how much force (in Newtons) is required to compress the spring by one millimeter. A higher spring rate means a stiffer spring that will deflect less under the same load.

Calculation Formula

The calculator uses the following formula to determine the spring rate:

k = (E × t² × n) / (6 × w)

Where:

• k = Spring Rate (N/mm)
• E = Young's Modulus of the material (N/mm²)
• t = Leaf Thickness (mm)
• n = Number of Leaves
• w = Leaf Width (mm)

Applications

This calculator is useful for:

• Designing suspension systems for vehicles
• Engineering applications requiring precise spring selection
• Comparing different spring designs
• Determining the load-carrying capacity of leaf springs

Important Notes

For more accurate results in real-world applications, consider:

• Adding factors for friction between leaves
• Considering the effect of pre-compression
• Taking into account the actual load conditions
• Factoring in material fatigue over time