<p>It depends how much it needs to open/stretch.</p>
<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retaining_ring" rel="nofollow noreferrer">External circlips/retaining rings</a> spring to mind - they're normally installed into a groove, but don't always have to be. Getting them out of a groove (and sometimes in) takes special pliers, but just used on a tube that shouldn't be necessary.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/w82Sq.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/w82Sq.jpg" alt="Circlips, via Wikipedia" /></a></p>
<p><sub> Retaining rings image from Wikipedia <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Axial_Rings.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Axial_Rings.jpg</a></sub></p>
<p>Otherwise 1-3 turns cut from a suitably-sized compression spring should work.  You can either buy springs or make them by wrapping wire round something undersized.  Piano strings are a good type of wire for making springs.</p>
<p>The actual effect of squeezing in one direction to expand in the other requires a more complex braided construction. Braided sleeves in (tinned) copper or steel are conductive, but will fray unless you seal the ends.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-01-07T23:07:56.967Z
Thanks for the answer! FYI to others who might find your answer: these are also called "External Retaining Rings" or "C-clips" or Circlips.  E-clips are different, but could be useful depending on the task.  In my case I need "overlapping external retaining rings" for a rotary electrical contact, but haven't found any yet.
KJ7LNW
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-01-08T07:01:04.310Z
Another term of interest is *slip ring* - that's more like what you're trying to end up with but might give you some pointers
Chris H
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-01-03T14:22:07.367Z
2024-01-03T14:22:07.367Z
Chris H
<p>I'm not sure what to search for, and I'm hoping you can help me find whatever this might be called:</p>
<p>I'm looking for something that looks like a keyring, but expands with pressure if pressed onto a tube; it then squeezes when released.  Maybe think &quot;metal rubber band&quot;.</p>
<p>It needs to be metal for electrical conductivity, ~1mm in thickness, and about 2-3cm in diameter.  (I've scoured Amazon's keyring selection, but everything looks far too strong to expand and bounce back.)</p>
<p>What would something like this be called?  Other ideas?</p>

<material-selection><tool-selection><terminology><material-identification><metal>
Do there exist compression ring springs?
KJ7LNW
# Do there exist compression ring springs?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2024-01-03)

I'm not sure what to search for, and I'm hoping you can help me find whatever this might be called:

I'm looking for something that looks like a keyring, but expands with pressure if pressed onto a tube; it then squeezes when released. Maybe think "metal rubber band".

It needs to be metal for electrical conductivity, ~1mm in thickness, and about 2-3cm in diameter. (I've scoured Amazon's keyring selection, but everything looks far too strong to expand and bounce back.)

What would something like this be called? Other ideas?

**Tags:** material-selection, tool-selection, terminology, material-identification, metal


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2024-01-03. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

It depends how much it needs to open/stretch.

[External circlips/retaining rings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retaining_ring) spring to mind - they're normally installed into a groove, but don't always have to be. Getting them out of a groove (and sometimes in) takes special pliers, but just used on a tube that shouldn't be necessary.

[![Circlips, via Wikipedia](https://i.sstatic.net/w82Sq.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/w82Sq.jpg)

Retaining rings image from Wikipedia <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Axial_Rings.jpg>

Otherwise 1-3 turns cut from a suitably-sized compression spring should work. You can either buy springs or make them by wrapping wire round something undersized. Piano strings are a good type of wire for making springs.

The actual effect of squeezing in one direction to expand in the other requires a more complex braided construction. Braided sleeves in (tinned) copper or steel are conductive, but will fray unless you seal the ends.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks for the answer! FYI to others who might find your answer: these are also called "External Retaining Rings" or "C-clips" or Circlips.  E-clips are different, but could be useful depending on the task.  In my case I need "overlapping external retaining rings" for a rotary electrical contact, but haven't found any yet.  
> **username_1**: Another term of interest is *slip ring* - that's more like what you're trying to end up with but might give you some pointers  

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