Abstract: A steel wire has tempered martensite, comprises, as essential components, by mass, C: 0.53 to 0.68%; Si: 1.2 to 2.5%; Mn: 0.2 to 1.5%; Cr: 1.4 to 2.5%; Al: 0.05% or less; further comprises, as a selective component, Ni: 0.4% or less; V: 0.4% or less; Mo: 0.05 to 0.5%; or Nb: 0.05 to 0.5%; and further comprises remainder essentially consisting of Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein the grain size number of prior austenite is 11.0 or larger, and the proof stress ratio (?0.2/?B), namely, a ratio of 0.2% proof stress (?0.2) to tensile strength (?B) is 0.85 or lower. Satisfying the above requirements makes it possible to produce a steel wire for high-strength spring excellent both in workability (cold workability), and in sag resistance and fatigue properties.

Abstract: A steel wire has tempered martensite, comprises, as essential components, by mass, C: 0.53 to 0.68%; Si: 1.2 to 2.5%; Mn: 0.2 to 1.5%; Cr: 1.4 to 2.5%; Al: 0.05% or less; further comprises, as a selective component, Ni: 0.4% or less; V: 0.4% or less; Mo: 0.05 to 0.5%; or Nb: 0.05 to 0.5%; and further comprises remainder essentially consisting of Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein the grain size number of prior austenite is 11.0 or larger, and the proof stress ratio (?0.2/?B), namely, a ratio of 0.2% proof stress (?0.2) to tensile strength (?B) is 0.85 or lower. Satisfying the above requirements makes it possible to produce a steel wire for high-strength spring excellent both in workability (cold workability), and in sag resistance and fatigue properties.

Abstract: A high strength spring is made of steel of which composition consists of 0.6 to 0.7 wt % of C, 1.2 to 1.6 wt % of Si, 0.5 to 0.8 wt % of Mn, 0.5 to 0.8 wt % of Cr, 0.05 to 0.2 wt % in total of one or more than one of V, Mo, Nb and Ta and the balance of Fe and inevitable impurities. The steel is limited in particle size of non-metallic inclusions in such a way that the maximum particle size of the non-metallic inclusions is equal to or smaller than 15 .mu.m. The spring is applied at a portion adjacent the outer surface thereof with a residual compression stress in such a way that the maximum of the residual compression stress ranges from 85 to 110 Kgf/mm.sup.2. The spring is further process so as to have such a surface roughness that is equal to or smaller than 15 .mu.m.