Difference between Compression and Tension Springs

Among all the different types of industrial springs if you’re wondering which one is most commonly used then the answer is compression spring and tension springs. These two types of springs are manufactured in many sizes and come in different forms to fit the requirement of the spring designs.

To anyone not familiar with these springs both of them look quite similar and people might not be able to spot differences. Though they appear similar they’re very different in their use and functioning. Let’s know how the compression springs are different than tension springs.

What are compression springs and tension springs?

By design and function, every spring is a flexible mechanical element meant to undergo elastic deflection to some extent. The deflection is either from elongation or reduction in the spring length.

Both tension spring and compression spring are helical but herein is the main difference between the two as they are made for two different works i.e. one does the pushing and the other does the pulling of the structural members.

Compression and tension springs look similar in a great deal but have vastly different designs, uses, and functions. It’s important to have a basic understanding of each to properly understand their uses and differences.

Let’s first discuss features of each spring separately and then compare their functions and differences to get a better idea of both springs.

Compression Springs

Compression springs are easily recognizable by their helical shape. The main function of these springs is to resist a compressive force that’s applied to them. The compression springs are mainly designed from the round spring but to meet specific needs these springs can be made from square or rectangular materials also.

The commonly used springs are compression springs and are manufactured from a large gauge wire and are part of different machinery used in our day-to-day lives. Compression springs are commonly used in valves, door locks, cars, railways, electrical switches, and stamping presses.

Tension Springs

Tension or extension springs are designed to operate on tension. These are tightly wound, closed coil springs in which the spring stretches due to the force/tension. In absence of any force or tension, the individual coil in this spring touches, and after tension is applied and load is placed, the individual coils of tension springs try to regain their original tightly wound position hence resulting in its springing action.

Due to their basic properties tension springs are used in the lever based functions like in trampolines, garage doors, farm equipment, pliers, and automotive interior and exterior.

Difference between compression and tension springs

Despite the great resemblance in their designs, the compression and tension springs have obvious differences in the way they function and where they are meant to be used.

The most important difference between the two is that compression spring is used to keep two components apart whereas tension springs are made to hold two things together and keep them close.

Both the spring types are used for different purposes. When rested the individual coils of tension spring are compactly arranged and get extended when force is applied on the spring whereas the individual coils of compression spring stay extended when they are rested and get compressed when the force is applied to them.

Compression spring will shorten its length under the action of external force. On the contrary, the tension spring will increase its length under the action of external force.

The work of compression spring is to push the structural member and to increase its length whereas tension spring will pull the structural member and reduce its length.

To allow compression to occur sufficient gap should be there in between the individual coils of the compression spring. In contrast, the tension springs are tightly wound and they get stretched after tension is applied to them.

Conclusion

Compression springs oppose any compression along its axis and when the load is applied on the spring then the length of the spring decreases and to regain its length the spring tries to push the load away. Thus, making it suitable to be used at places where the structural elements need to be kept apart. The tension spring has opposite work than compression spring. The tension/extension spring opposes any extension in the spring that occurs along its axis.

When the load is applied to the tension or extension spring then the length of the spring increases and to regain its tightly wound structure the tension spring pulls the structural components together. Hence, it’s useful at places where two