Compressed air vs Nitrogen - gas shock refill

[Coldrider]

Nitrogen is not an inert gas.

you'll need at least 500deg c at 200 atmospherses (5878 psi) and chuck in some iron as a catalyst to get a chemical reaction, the average shocky should be OK.

[Robert Taylor]

Did your shock explode and kill you?

We have seen a number of shocks over the years that have burst their gas bladders BECAUSE they were filled with compressed air out of an everyday compressor. And I think its fair to say that we have been inside a few more shocks than you have.
Its all about minimisation of risk. Would you care to explain why nitrogen is the charging gas of choice?

[F5 Dave]

Did your shock explode and kill you?

he didn't say he used oxygen. Apparently that's a good way to hurt yourself given a bad set of circumstances.

hey look at my motto thing under my user name. No.8 wire & all.

[ducatilover]

Would you care to explain why nitrogen is the charging gas of choice?

Has already been done, now apparently I'm going to die because my forks have air in them. Oh well.

[Robert Taylor]

Has already been done, now apparently I'm going to die because my forks have air in them. Oh well.

Forks are of course a slightly different kettle of fish when it comes to gas volume and displacement of that volume, secondary ''trapped air spring compression ratio'' being very much one of the main tuning parameters. And thats significantly different to a very low volume of gas at often very high pressures and higher temperatures.
If you read and understood my explanation properly it inferred nothing of the sort of emotive claptrap that you have espoused, why such stupid innuendo? My post explained the negatives of doing something that ( largely ) doesnt concur with manufacturers requirements, and was about reasonably well qualified information, not invective. ( But what would manufacturersand those that they train know????)
Wo betide those who dare to ''stick their head above the parapet'' by having the ultimate temerity of posting on forums advising the correct way to do things. In doing so inevitably correcting those who may have posted with well meaning intent but nonetheless without being totally correct, sometimes quite incorrect. Clearly the many years that I have personally spent working with suspension and training overseas with 3 leading manufacturers have taught me nothing? Thankfully most people will accept good and 100% accurate advice in the spirit that it is given, without recourse to the less appealing sides of human nature.

[bogan]

Would you care to explain why nitrogen is the charging gas of choice?

Pun intended? I paid 20 bucks for a fill last time What's argon or argosheild like as a shock refill gas anyway?

[slowpoke]

Has already been done, now apparently I'm going to die because my forks have air in them. Oh well.

Duuude, you're getting free technical advice, take it in the spirit it's given.

Nope your shock isn't going to explode and kill ya but even someone like me who's few remaining brain cell's complain of loneliness can envisage a scenario where crap suspension performance can be the difference between making it 'round a potholed/rock strewn corner and not, or stopping short of a u-turning car rather than bottoming the forks and slamming into it because your fork oil is emulsified.

May/probably never happen but it's the shortcut you're defending that has increased the possibility.

[ducatilover]

Forks are of course a slightly different kettle of fish when it comes to gas volume and displacement of that volume, secondary ''trapped air spring compression ratio'' being very much one of the main tuning parameters. And thats significantly different to a very low volume of gas at often very high pressures and higher temperatures.
If you read and understood my explanation properly it inferred nothing of the sort of emotive claptrap that you have espoused, why such stupid innuendo? My post explained the negatives of doing something that ( largely ) doesnt concur with manufacturers requirements, and was about reasonably well qualified information, not invective. ( But what would manufacturersand those that they train know????)
Wo betide those who dare to ''stick their head above the parapet'' by having the ultimate temerity of posting on forums advising the correct way to do things. In doing so inevitably correcting those who may have posted with well meaning intent but nonetheless without being totally correct, sometimes quite incorrect. Clearly the many years that I have personally spent working with suspension and training overseas with 3 leading manufacturers have taught me nothing? Thankfully most people will accept good and 100% accurate advice in the spirit that it is given, without recourse to the less appealing sides of human nature.

Goodness me Robert, I'm pulling yer leg here, not everyone is out to argue with you on the net, and I for one don't doubt your wisdom.
Bunch of panty knotted nutters today aren't we?

I'll happily admit I have learned something from you each time you post
But, our air is 78% nitrogen and moisture is a large contributor to gas expansion rates, so I will happily go on believing that and now knowing what you've pointed out.

[Robert Taylor]

Goodness me Robert, I'm pulling yer leg here, not everyone is out to argue with you on the net, and I for one don't doubt your wisdom.
Bunch of panty knotted nutters today aren't we?

I'll happily admit I have learned something from you each time you post
But, our air is 78% nitrogen and moisture is a large contributor to gas expansion rates, so I will happily go on believing that and now knowing what you've pointed out.

No worries, its always of course hard to desseminate in written form how much is leg pulling and how much is deliberate mischief.
Youve nailed it in mentioning the adverse effect of moisture in the air. In various parts of the world that air can also be quite corrosive and we see a lot of corrosive damage inside and outside suspension units from motorcycles and cars first sold and used in Japan.

[Robert Taylor]

Pun intended? I paid 20 bucks for a fill last time What's argon or argosheild like as a shock refill gas anyway?

Those alternatives I havent studied but given that nitrogen is reasonably accessible I think its a no brainer to stick to the ideal and recommended gas for the application.
With our Ohlins products we have a 5 year warranty, I would be loathe to honour a warranty claim where a gas other than the recommended nitrogen was used, that would also perhaps suggest that other ''compromises'' were acceptable to the owner.

[ducatilover]

In various parts of the world that air can also be quite corrosive and we see a lot of corrosive damage inside and outside suspension units from motorcycles and cars first sold and used in Japan.

I have wondered about that briefly before, I'd like to know why/how, off to Google I go!

[Flip]

Nitrogen is dry and cheap, thats all.

Just go to beaurepairs.