O-rings
Circular rubber gaskets
O-rings are rubber or plastic rings used as seals in machinery, preventing leaks where parts join or move against each other.
The ring sits in a groove and compresses when assembled, creating a tight seal: Replace the O-rings if the faucet is dripping.
O-rings appear in everything from garden hoses to spacecraft—the failure of O-rings on the Space Shuttle Challenger caused its 1986 explosion.
Elastic polymer from trees
- nitrileCyano-functional organic compound
- siliconeFlexible synthetic polymer
- neopreneSynthetic rubber polymer
- PTFEFluoropolymer with low friction
fluorocarbon · elastomer · hardness · compound · polyurethane · permeation · swelling · vulcanized
Mechanical leak preventer
- sealAuthentication stamp or mark
- hydraulicRelating to pressurized liquids
- pneumaticUsing pressurized gas
- grooveNarrow cut or routine
gland · compression · leak · pressure · fluid · joint · fitting · flange
Specific vessel or vehicle name
- NASAFederal space exploration bureau
- shuttleShort-distance transport
- disasterSudden ruinous event
- erosionGradual wearing away
extrusion · cold · temperature · Feynman · ice water · brittle · investigation · catastrophic
rubber
Elastic polymer from trees
- nitrileCyano-functional organic compound
- siliconeFlexible synthetic polymer
- neopreneSynthetic rubber polymer
PTFE · fluorocarbon · elastomer · hardness · compound · polyurethane · permeation · swelling · vulcanized · synthetic
gasket
Mechanical leak preventer
- sealAuthentication stamp or mark
- hydraulicRelating to pressurized liquids
- pneumaticUsing pressurized gas
groove · gland · compression · leak · pressure · fluid · joint · fitting · flange · valve
Challenger
Specific vessel or vehicle name
erosion · extrusion · cold · temperature · Feynman · ice water · brittle · investigation · catastrophic · launch
diameter
Distance across through center
- cross-sectionView through interior
- innerSituated further in
- outerFarther from the center
thickness · tolerance · metric · standard · sizing · dimensions · stretch · squeeze · clearance · flash
- rubbernatural rubber, rubber band, rubber trees, rubber boot, rubber glove
- keyboardskeyboard, keys, piano, pianos, organ
- smoke trickssmoke rings, French inhale, tornado, cheerio, split rings
- keyboard accessorieswrist rest, palm rest, keycaps, keyboard cover, dust cover
- Fluoroelastomers
- FluoropolymersPTFE, PFA, PVDF, Teflon, Gore-Tex