You should consider the material when choosing lateral spring plungers. Since they are used in conjunction with other parts, they need to be strong and durable. Otherwise, the lateral spring plungers may fail while potentially damaging the parts with which they are used.

Most lateral spring plungers are made of several materials. The body, for instance, may be made of lightweight and strong aluminum, whereas the spring may be made of stainless steel.

For further protection against damage, lateral spring plungers may feature a surface finish. Some of them are galvanized, for instance. A galvanized surface finish consists of a protective layer of zinc that shields the underlying metal from damage.

Something else to consider is a seal. Some lateral spring plungers have a seal, whereas others do not.

You’ll need to choose lateral spring plungers in the right size. Precision matters for locating and indexing applications. If a lateral spring plunger is too big or too small, it may not work. Fortunately, you can find lateral spring plungers in a wide range of sizes.