Garter Springs

Garter Springs: consistent radial force for sealing and retention

What garter springs are, how they work, and why they matter in sealing and precision industrial uses

24/03/2026

By Egoitz Crespo, sales engineer at RPK Group

What is a garter spring?

A garter spring is a helical spring joined end-to-end to form a continuous ring. Its circular geometry allows it to apply a uniform radial force around a part. This makes it a reliable solution for designs that require constant pressure, retention, or sealing around a round surface.

What is a garter spring used for?

Garter springs are mainly used to maintain a constant radial load in sealing systems and circular assemblies. Oil seals and shaft seals help keep the sealing lip tight against the shaft. This supports leak prevention, contaminant exclusion, and stable performance in dynamic conditions.

Why do engineers choose garter springs?

The main value of a garter spring is uniform force distribution around the full circumference. It helps improve sealing consistency, reliability, and service life. It also performs well in applications exposed to motion, pressure changes, temperature variation, and demanding operating environments.

Garter Springs

Where are garter springs commonly used?

Typical applications include oil seals, shaft seals, fuel systems, automotive components, small motors, and electrical connectors. They are a strong option whenever a product requires controlled radial force in a compact, circular form.

What materials and dimensions does RPK Group offer?

We manufacture garter springs in carbon steel, stainless steel, and Ti stainless steel.

Our available range includes:

  • Wire range: Ø0.16 mm – Ø0.45 mm
  • Core diameter: Ø1 mm – Ø2 mm
  • Diameter range: Ø7 mm – Ø200 mm

Why work with RPK Group for garter springs?

At RPK Group, we have ad hoc production lines prepared for garter springs. This allows us to support demanding projects with a focused manufacturing setup, reliable quality, and product solutions adapted to each application.

Detail of a Garter Spring

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