ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Almen strip

An Almen strip is a special piece of metal used in the process of making things like springs and other machine parts stronger and more durable. Think of it like a little test for these parts to make sure they can handle a lot of stress and pressure without breaking.

The strip is made up of a small piece of metal that has a little hole in the middle. This hole is important because it is where the part being tested is held in place. The strip is placed in a special machine that shoots tiny metal balls at it really fast. This sounds like a game, but it's actually a serious test!

The metal balls shoot at the part being tested, hitting it really hard and putting it under a lot of stress. If the part can handle all of the metal balls and doesn't break or bend, it's considered strong enough to be used in machines and other important equipment.

So, an Almen strip is really just a little piece of metal that helps manufacturers make sure the parts they make are strong and reliable.