Spring Constant: Compression vs Extension

[tandoorichicken]

Basic engineering question.

For any average spring (say, in an industrial setting), is the spring constant in compression about equivalent to the spring constant in extension?

 

[russ_watters]

Over a certain range of motion, yes.

 

[ravenprp]

The spring constant, also known as the stiffness constant, is a measure of how much force is required to compress or extend a spring by a certain distance. In basic engineering principles, the spring constant is typically assumed to be the same for compression and extension.

However, in reality, the spring constant may vary slightly between compression and extension. This is due to factors such as the material properties of the spring, the manufacturing process, and the design of the spring itself.

For most practical applications, the difference in spring constant between compression and extension is negligible and can be ignored. However, for more precise and sensitive applications, this difference may need to be taken into account.

In general, it is safe to assume that the spring constant for compression and extension is approximately equivalent for an average spring in an industrial setting. However, it is always best to consult the specific specifications and properties of the spring in question to ensure accurate calculations and designs.