The oil used in the gas spring is also useful to obtain a high damping effect on the last few millimetres of the stroke. If the gas spring was not used rod-down, the piston would not have to go through the oil at the end of the extension and no damping effect would occur.

When this is not possible and the gas spring has to be used either rod-up or near horizontal, an oil chamber or a fully damped gas spring should be specified. While these additional features add to the spring cost, they will enable your gas springs to reach their maximum operational life.