Overview
EN ISO 26909:2010 (ISO 26909:2009) - "Springs - Vocabulary" - is an international vocabulary standard for the metal springs industry. It specifies the terms and definitions commonly used in technical product documentation for springs, including heat‑treatment and surface‑treatment terminology relevant to springs. The standard was prepared by ISO/TC 227 (Springs) and adopted as a European/Slovenian standard (EN ISO 26909:2010 / EN ISO 26909:2010). It supersedes earlier versions (ISO 2162‑3).
Key topics and requirements
ISO 26909 does not set dimensional or performance limits; rather it standardizes language to ensure consistent communication across design, manufacturing and procurement. Main content areas include:
- Seven grouped categories of terms:
- General features of springs
- Application of springs in machinery and engineering
- Layout and nomenclature of springs
- Specification requirements
- Design and calculation
- Manufacturing and processing
- Testing and inspection
- Heat‑treatment and surface‑treatment terms specifically pertinent to springs
- Inclusion of illustrative figures (Annex A) and a grouping/classification of terms (Annex B) to improve clarity
- Exclusions: terms for materials and non‑metallic springs are intentionally omitted to avoid duplication with other material standards
Practical applications
This vocabulary standard is designed to:
- Ensure consistent terminology in technical product documentation, drawings, bills of materials and specifications
- Improve clarity in engineering design reviews, calculations, and assembly instructions
- Reduce ambiguity in procurement contracts, supplier agreements and quality clauses
- Support accurate interpretation of testing and inspection reports and manufacturing process documentation
- Mechanical and spring design engineers
- Spring manufacturers and process planners
- Quality, testing and inspection personnel
- Technical authors and documentation teams preparing standards‑compliant drawings and specifications
- Procurement and supply chain specialists writing purchase orders and contractual specifications
- Standards committees and educators in mechanical components
Related standards and notes
- Prepared by ISO/TC 227 (Springs); supersedes ISO 2162‑3 series
- Terms for materials are excluded-refer to relevant material standards for metallurgy and material properties
- Use in conjunction with design and testing standards for springs when specifying performance, tolerances or test methods
Keywords: ISO 26909, springs vocabulary, spring terminology, metal springs standard, spring design, spring manufacturing, heat treatment, surface treatment, testing and inspection.