Depending on the size, guidance and bearing, compression springs are at risk of buckling.
When guided by mandrel or sleeve, the spring cannot buckle.
![Spring guidance over mandrel](https://blog.federnshop.com/wp-content/uploads/knick6.gif)
![Sleeve spring guide](https://blog.federnshop.com/wp-content/uploads/knick7.gif)
In other cases, it depends on the design of the bearing(EN 13906-1 / 9.14). The spring travel until buckling is referred to as buckling spring travel “sK”.
The following formula is used to calculate the buckling spring travel:
Theoretically, buckling safety is given at “sK /s > 1”.
For more information:
Spring end bearings and buckling limits