Tech-Etch, Plymouth, Mass., which specializes in the etching, forming, heat treating and finishing of components made from metals with superior spring characteristics, offers prototypes delivered in 5 days.

Visit the company's website for a "Precision Engineered Parts Capabilities" brochure or to contact an engineer if you have a technical question about spring metals.

According to Tech-Etch:

• MP35N is an ultra high tensile strength metal with good ductility and excellent corrosion resistance used for medical implants.
• Elgiloy has high strength, ductility, fatigue life and is corrosion resistant in numerous environments. It is ideal for stiffener bands and spring energized seals.
• Beryllium Copper has excellent conductivity for battery contact, ground spring and EMI/RFI shielding applications. It can be formed with sharp bends and heat treated for optimum spring properties.
• Stainless steels are selected for their corrosion resistance, fatigue strength, toughness, and surgical implant suitability. Varieties include 300 and 400 series, hardened and tempered, flapper valve grade, razor blade grade, and precipitation hardened grade.
• Nitinol is a shape memory alloy with very good electrical and mechanical properties, long fatigue life, and high corrosion resistance for stents and retaining springs.
• Phos Bronze has good conductivity and cold workability for clutch springs, diaphragms, and contact springs.