The Special Materials That Make Harsh Ocean Travel Possible
A small but vital component helps protect people, goods, and ships in some of the harshest conditions imaginable.
Edited by EE Staff
Cool Stuff
Feb 16, 2026
When a cargo ship crosses the ocean in heavy weather, there’s a lot at stake. Inside multiple containers might be food for a supermarket, medicine for a hospital, or a long-awaited package on its way to someone’s doorstep. And while most people think it’s size or strength of the ship itself that keeps everything steady, the truth is often something much smaller—a spring, hidden deep inside the system of the cargo ship.
The disc spring is a powerful example of Alleima’s innovative capabilities in developing advanced steels built to withstand life at sea. Disc springs absorb shock, reduce vibration, and help prevent cargo from shifting when a ship hits rough seas. They’re not made to stand out. They are hidden deep within the ship’s systems. But when they do their job, everything stays exactly where it should. If that spring doesn’t work, containers can move, and even small shifts can cause serious damage. That’s when a tiny spring suddenly makes a big difference.
Harsh conditions
The marine environment is no joke. Pressure, movement, salt, heat, and vibration all work against the materials used on and inside the ship. That’s why what you put into a disc spring really matters. Alleima, as a materials expert, has developed a spring steel designed specifically for extreme demands like cargo ships and other ocean liners. The material is tough, elastic, and resistant to fatigue. In other words, it doesn’t give up when the conditions get hard. It holds.
Creating a steel that performs under constant movement, pressure, and exposure to saltwater isn’t just experience—it’s innovation. Each new material is tested and pushed far beyond typical conditions to make sure it can handle whatever the ocean delivers. “All of our spring steels are rigorously evaluated for fatigue resistance through extensive testing in our advanced R&D facility,” says Mikael Hansson, Product Specialist at Alleima. “Because when you're out in the middle of the ocean, you need to know your materials will perform. No second chances.”
Invisible, But Essential
Disc springs don’t get much credit. You won’t find them on a poster or in a campaign. But they are there, behind the scenes and doing what needs to be done. Disc springs keep cargo secure and protect the systems that keep the ship moving. They help the world move, even when the sea says otherwise.
Premium spring steel developed by Alleima can be used for all types of demanding applications. The company offers a range of spring steels in stainless and nickel-based alloys that combine strength, elasticity, and corrosion resistance for use in automotive, electronics, medical, and other applications. They manufacture disc springs, non-magnetic springs, contact springs, brush springs and more in a large variety of sizes.
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*Images courtesy of Alleima.