Gas Spring Technical Info > Modified K-Factors
The design of a gas spring can be modified to support applications requiring lower and higher K factors. Low K factors where the extended and compressed forces are almost equal are desirable on straight vertical lifts and on vertical access panels that are hinged on the top. High K factors are useful when more P2 force (compressed) is desirable in relation to the P1 force (extended). An example is a horizontal cover opening to 90 degrees where a high force is required to assist in the initial opening and little force is required to maintain the cover at the 90 degree position.
K factors are modified by either increasing or decreasing the length or diameter of the tube or by increasing or decreasing the diameter of the rod used. All affect the relationship between the volume of gas in the cylinder and the amount of gas displaced as the spring is compressed.
IGS manufactures a range of gas springs with different rod / body combinations to achieve lower and higher k-factors. See Products sub menu Combination Gas Springs.
Below is a photograph of a spring with a .24” rod and 1.57” body that yields a K-factor of 1.04. This extreme example was used to visually illustrate the concept.
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