The performance and life of compression springs can be affected by a variety of environmental factors, and understanding these factors is critical to spring selection, design, application and maintenance. Major environmental factors include:
Temperature
Effect of high temperature:
1.Softening of the material and reduction of the modulus of elasticity, resulting in a decrease in spring stiffness.
2.Accelerated creep or stress relaxation may cause permanent deformation.
3.Some materials (e.g. plain carbon steel) may oxidise or decarburise at high temperatures.
Low temperature effects:
1.Material becomes brittle (e.g., carbon steel has reduced toughness at low temperatures) and is susceptible to fracture.
2.Lubricants may solidify, increasing friction.
解决方法：选择耐高温（如不锈钢、镍合金）或耐低温材料（如特殊合金）并进行温度补偿设计。
Humidity and corrosion
潮湿/盐雾环境：
1.Induces metal corrosion (e.g., rust) and reduces material strength.
2.Humid environments may accelerate galvanic corrosion (e.g., galvanic coupling corrosion when dissimilar metals are in contact).
Chemical corrosion: Acids, alkalis or industrial exhaust fumes can erode the surface of the spring.
Solution:
1.Use of corrosion-resistant materials (e.g. stainless steel, phosphor bronze).
2.Surface treatment (zinc plating, nickel plating, plastic spraying or Dacromet coating).
3.Sealed design or regular maintenance.
Vibration and shock
High-frequency vibration:
1.Causes fatigue failure (microcrack expansion).
2.May cause resonance and accelerate damage.
3.Shock Loads: Transient overloads leading to deformation or fracture.
Solution:
1.Optimise the design (e.g. increase the number of spring coils, adjust the stiffness).
2.Add shock absorbers or cushioning structures.
Electromagnetic environment
Influence:
1.Electromagnetic fields may interfere with the performance of electrically conductive springs (e.g., springs in precision instruments).
2.The passage of electric current may cause galvanic corrosion (e.g. lightning strikes).
Solution:
1.Use of non-magnetic materials (e.g. copper alloys, titanium alloys).
2.Insulation treatment or shielding design.
UV radiation (outdoor applications)
Effects:
Causes deterioration of non-metallic parts (e.g. coatings, rubber mats).
Solution:
Select UV-resistant materials or protective coatings.
Pressure and vacuum
High-pressure environments: may affect the compression characteristics of the spring.
Vacuum:Lubricants evaporate, causing dry friction.
Some materials may release gases (requires aerospace grade materials).
