What Are Garter Springs?
Garter springs are helical springs joined at the ends to form a circle, typically used to apply radial force in dynamic sealing applications. These precision-engineered circular springs maintain tension around cylindrical components and are relied on in oil seals, fuel systems, and medical pumps.
Whether designing a rotating shaft seal in an offshore environment or a precision medical pump, Springtech manufactures custom garter springs to meet demanding radial tension and environmental specifications.
Garter springs (oil springs) are commonly used to maintain the function of radial shaft seals by keeping the elastomer seals tight against the rotating shaft. Garter Springs are developed to operate in conditions where temperatures/pressures can vary and are very efficient at preventing leakage and contamination.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Range / Options |
|---|---|
| Wire Diameter | 0.1 mm – 25.4 mm |
| Coil Direction | Left-hand / Right-hand |
| Ends / Hooks | Hook, Crimp, Screw, Welded |
| Tolerances | BS1726 / customer-specific |
| Surface Finishes | Zinc plating, passivation, shot-peening, special coatings |
| Operating Environment | Cryogenic to high-temperature seals |
Material Options: Stainless Steel (302, 316, 17-7 PH), Inconel, Phosphor Bronze, Carbon Steel, Super Duplex, Hastelloy, plus all four NACE spring material and others upon request.
Applications by Industry:
Aerospace & Defence: Fuel tank sealing rings, shaft seals
Automotive: Fuel injectors, transmission seals
Industrial: Belt-driven motor seals, high-cycle rotary tools
Medical: Fluid pump seals, drug delivery devices
Oil & Gas: Seal energizer springs, mechanical seals, rotary shaft seals, downhole equipment tools, hydraulic pumps & motors, valves & flanges, shaft seals
Find out more about our industries
Quality Assurance & Engineering Support
Springtech is AS 9100 D & BS EN ISO 9001: 2015 certified and follows stringent quality procedures. Every spring is manufactured under traceable controls, with the option for:
- Shot-peening for fatigue life enhancement
- Design validation through simulation and load testing
- Material certification and compliance documentation
- First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR) upon request
- In-process and final dimensional inspection
Why Springtech?
We supply fully engineered, application-specific garter springs, every component is manufactured to deliver exceptional performance in demanding environments. All of our springs are produced onsite at our advanced facility in High Wycombe, supported by a dedicated engineering and validation centre.
Our experienced team works collaboratively with customers to ensure each spring exceeds its lifecycle requirements, with careful attention to load conditions, fatigue performance, material suitability, and dimensional tolerances. We’re trusted by industry leaders across aerospace, defence, oil & gas, and medical sectors for our technical capability and reliable production standards.
With in-house design support, material traceability, and rigorous validation procedures including shot-peening, first article inspection, and tailored fatigue testing. Springtech delivers precision extension springs you can depend on.