Drahtspirale

Drahtspirale, or wire spiral, refers to a form of wire shaped into a helical coil or circular spiral. It is created by winding a straight metal wire around a mandrel or by bending the wire into successive turns. The geometry can range from tightly wound coils with small pitch to looser spirals with larger spacing. The term covers both decorative spirals and functional components used in various technical contexts.

Construction and materials commonly used include steel (carbon steel and stainless steel), phosphor bronze, copper, and nickel alloys. Wire diameters typically span from fractions of a millimeter to a few millimeters, and outer diameters can range from millimeters to several centimeters, depending on the application. Key dimensional parameters are wire thickness, coil diameter, pitch (distance between turns), and the number of turns. Material properties such as tensile strength, elastic limit, fatigue resistance, and corrosion resistance influence performance and service life.

Applications and types vary with the context. In mechanical engineering, Drahtspiralen are used as springs that deform under load to store and release energy, providing cushioning, returning forces, or torque. In electrical and electronic contexts, spiral windings form inductors, choke elements, or compact coil antennas, taking advantage of their magnetic and reactive properties. In crafts and jewelry, decorative wire spirals serve as ornamental elements or structural motifs.

Design and manufacturing considerations include selecting an appropriate material for the operating environment, determining the desired spring rate or inductive characteristics, and controlling fatigue life. Manufacturing methods range from manual bending and winding to automated spring-forming and CNC winding, often followed by finishing processes such as heat treatment, coating, or surface finishing to improve performance and durability.