Will the spring constant remain the same if the elastic limit is exceeded?

Answer 1

While you are beyond the elastic limit of the spring, the constant will be near zero because the length of the spring will be changing a lot with very little extra force. And the spring will be permanently deforming.

However, once you release the spring and get beneath the elastic limit, it will return to its original constant (albeit with a new shape) and should maintain that constant so long as you stay below the new elastic limit. (The new limit will be whatever the maximum force you deformed it with.)

Answer 2

Elastic Limit Of A Spring

Answer 3

Yes, assuming it doesn't break. If the elastic limit is exceeded, but the material does not break, it plastically deforms. During this time, it will not behave elastically since the return force will remain more or less constant regardless of additional stretching, rather than increase proportionately. The spring's rest length is permanently changed by this process, but it's subsequent spring constant will be about the same.

Answer 4

Once the elastic limit is exceeded, the spring constant will approach zero.