Force required to compress or extend a helical spring.

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The force required to compress or extend a helical spring is theoretically the same, as indicated by the spring rate, which in this case is 450 N/mm. However, in practice, the values are very close, provided the material remains below its yield strength. Non-linear stiffness can occur as the spring approaches full compression, especially when self-contact happens. Additionally, the spring's design, including coil tightness, can affect the force required, with tightly coiled springs more prone to buckling. Overall, while the forces are similar, variations in spring design can lead to differences in required force.
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Is force required to compress or extend a helical spring is same or different.

For example a spring has spring rate of 450 N/mm, so if in compression if 450 N is required to produce 1 mm displacement from free position whether in tension same 450 N force will be required to produce 1 mm displacement from free position or this force value would be different ?
 
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In theory, it is the same. In practice, it is extremely close to the same so long as you stay well below the yield strength of the material.
 
Pkruse said:
In theory, it is the same. In practice, it is extremely close to the same so long as you stay well below the yield strength of the material.

Are you sure that these values will be same?
 
mvpunekar said:
Are you sure that these values will be same?
Yes, they will be the same.
 
In addition to approaching the yield strength, there will be a stiffness non-linearity in compression as the spring approaches its fully-compressed length, when self-contact occurs.
 
mvpunekar said:
Is force required to compress or extend a helical spring is same or different.

For example a spring has spring rate of 450 N/mm, so if in compression if 450 N is required to produce 1 mm displacement from free position whether in tension same 450 N force will be required to produce 1 mm displacement from free position or this force value would be different ?

it depends by the spring. There are springs with different rates.
 
Also depends on how the spring is coiled.

If it is tightly coiled then compression is more likely to cause buckling than axial compression. In which case a simple Hooke's law assumtion will be invalid.
 
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