Plain English Meaning
A tough, rubber-like material that squishes when something pushes on it and bounces back when the push goes away. It is used in some landing gear to soften the impact of landing.
Full Definition
A rubber-like material engineered to stretch under load and return to its original shape when the load is removed. In aircraft landing gear, elastomeric compounds are used in shock-absorbing components to cushion landings and taxi loads by flexing and recovering, rather than using fluid or springs.
Context Anchor
Seen in descriptions of landing gear, tires, brakes, seals, and shock-absorbing parts.
Derivation
From 'elastic' (Greek elastikos, meaning able to stretch and return) plus '-mer' (Greek meros, meaning part), referring to long-chain molecules that behave elastically. 'Compound' means a manufactured blend. Together: a blended material that stretches and returns to shape.