Gas Springs
Lifetime of a gas spring
Lesjöfors gas springs are generally permitted to have a maximum force loss of 10% after 40000 cycles at a max of five cycles per minute at room temperature and in ideal fitting circumstances.
However, it must be remembered that gas springs have a shelf life as the sealing material ages and wears out. There are several factors that affect gas spring lifespan in an application.
External factors such as temperature changes and other physical environmental influences can affect seal aging and wear and thereby speed up the process of force loss.
In addition, fitting also plays a significant role. If, for a majority of its operational life, a gas spring has its piston rod pointing downwards, the seals and the piston rod will be kept lubricated with oil, thus minimising wear and leakage.
A gas spring will also last longer if it is fitted free from vibrations and in such a way that no lateral forces can be produced.
A good rule for a designer is to always choose a gas spring with the largest possible cylinder volume for the amount of force required.