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Annealed wire is coil wound andhardenprepared with processes unique to the application. Afterwards the temper is imparted sothe martensite is stronger and more ductile.
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The big problem with 'mass produced'springs is uniformity. The temperature should be high enough to austenize while being low enough to reduce formations of bainite or pearlite which are brittle and can shatter like glass does.
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The thicker the wire cross section is, the better likelihood that there is enough ductile material present to reduce the problems associated with brittle wire, but the rub is compressibility decreases as wire diameter increases. At a certain point, the spring wireis to thickand the mechanical advantage fails. {Bent barrel, busted linkage, sear catch, etc}
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The 'liquid' properties of solidified metalwith thecrystal structures formed{like the wayice or glass forms} creates a possibility of fracture along the line of the grain. Usingsome method of precipitation hardening can help to a certain extent,however this is a rather time consuming and costly type of process. This is why anARH spring is more costly and durablethan a massproduced Mayer & Grammelspacher spring. In over six years, I've never broken an ARH spring. Currently dohave several broken, kinked or 'short set' Diana springs, some of which were NIB never used . . .
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Athicker, tougherspring as well as theheavierpistonand longer stroke properties Mr Medina pointed out, gives higher possibility that a heavypellet can work well ~ although the specific individual characteristics of the entire system should be given considerations. An example would bea break barrel with aharshshot cyclecausing the barrel to 'flick' off of the lock with a heavy pellet, functions very smoothly with a midweight pellet but smacks forward with a lighter pellet. Transfer port, barrel lead in, seal friction, piston size / weight, spring size / weight, guide size / length, can and do vary any partof the example listed, so when one is altered the exploration process may just begin all over.
