Abstract: A flat form spring, in particular a disc spring or corrugated spring, includes a spring body made of a low-alloy steel which has a carbon content of more than 0.35% by weight and at most 0.75% by weight. The steel contains between 0.3 wt. % and 0.9 wt. % manganese (Mn) as an alloying element. The steel also contains chromium (Cr) as an alloying element with a weight proportion of between 0.3 wt. % and 1.5 wt. %. The steel further contains between 0.1% and 0.6% by weight of molybdenum (Mo) as an alloying element. In addition, the steel contains more than 0.4 wt. % and up to 8 wt. % nickel (Ni) as an alloying element. A flatform spring made in this way has an improved strength compared to conventional flatform springs without a loss of toughness compared to a spring made of conventional spring steels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radially slotted ring having an elastically variable diameter, in particular a retaining ring, is to be transportable as a bulk material without complications and it should be suitable for final grinding to an axial thickness dimension with a high manufacturing precision. This ring (1) comprises a radial slot (2) that is filled at least partially with a filler material (3) which is easily removed prior to use of this ring (1) for its proper function, the filler material serving as a shipping and/or machining aid. The filler material (3) consists in particular of the material of the ring and is already manufactured in the primary shaping of the ring (1) together with this ring so that it can be separated easily from the ring.

Abstract: A spring system for connecting two flanges (13, 14), for use especially in a motor vehicle exhaust system. The spring system is configured as an elastic, flexible clamp with functionally first (1, 2) and second (4, 5) U-shaped clamping jaws positioned opposite each other. This provides a spring system which is easy to assemble and economical to produce. To this end the spring system has the U-shaped arms (6, 7) of the clamping jaws (1, 2; 4, 5) having only locally very restricted areas (8, 9, 10) for direct application to the pieces (11, 13; 12, 14) to be joined by means of the clamp. Four application areas (8) exercising both clamping functions are present in at least one of the clamping planes (100 or 200), of which two areas are arranged in pairs and situate diametrically opposite each other.