Maximum Cartridge Tracking Force for long LP Life

FWIW:  The concept of elastic limits and transitioning to plastic is discussed in the article Stylus Mass and Reproduction Distortion, J. Walton Wireless-World-1963-04.pdf (worldradiohistory.com) which indicates that stylus mass is a significant factor in distortion and record wear.  Walton published a later article Stylus Mass and Elliptical Point specific to elliptical styli in 1966, Walton.pdf (freudhoefer.de).

The two factors that are important are the effective stylus mass (which includes the cantilever and is reported by some manufacturers) which the 1st article addresses tests done with a stylus mass of 3-mg (which is quite high by today's standards) and the VTF which the 1st article conclusion states to be less than 5-gms.  Here is a list of effective stylus/tip-masses first developed byPhono Cartridge Equivalent/Effective Tip Mass Master List | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum with the latest list  - Effective Tip Mass | myhi.fi.  Most modern cartridges have low effective stylus mass.   

Just to add to the discussion, I have an ART20, VTF 1.8 grams, mounted in my SME 3009 series II improved with fixed head shell.  It never occurred to me that this was outside of design parameters until I read this thread.  FWIW, it works just fine as verified both sonically and by measurement using AnalogMagik.

@billstevenson, 

I have an ART20, VTF 1.8 grams, mounted in my SME 3009 series II improved with fixed head shell.  It never occurred to me that this was outside of design parameters until I read this thread. 

How is your ART20 outside of design parameters?  It's perfect - Dual Moving Coil Stereo Cartridge | AT-ART20 | Audio-Technica | Audio-Technica.  The VTF is fine and although the effective stylus mass is not known, I am quite sure that it follows common design practices and is down around 0.3-mg.  

If the goal is to maximize LP life, then you’ll want to keep your LPs and stylus squeaky clean. Cleanliness can be as critical a factor as VTF.

Mathematics and probability.

A cartridge stylus accurately tracking at 1.5 grams wears the groove incrementally over time.

A cartridge stylus accurately tracking at 3 grams wears the groove incrementally over time.

Friction produces heat and wear, more so if there is no lubrication.

Which of the two above examples would produce the most friction?
 

Mathematically and in all probability if both styli have the same profile, the one tracking a record at 3 grams.