An impact element having the effect of elongating the pulse of force in impact tools and devices for chipping, hammering and similar operations, consisting of an element (8) which, for generating the striking motion, is axially moveable as a whole and comprises a driving mass (16) intended to be actuated by a propelling force, and a striking mass (17) located in front thereof relative to the direction of striking, which masses possess a limited freedom of axial movement with respect to each other in that they are coupled together by a stiff spring arrangement, e.g. cup washers (15), extremely hard plastics or gas cushions.