
The Constitution is a charter of negative liberties, which means it tells the federal government or the state to let people alone. It does not require the federal government or the state to provide services, even something as basic as maintaining law and order. The Constitution is protected by being encased in nickel and tin, with 70 bolts on each encasement, exerting a seal pressure of more than 300 pounds per linear inch. The air is replaced with inert argon, kept at about 40% humidity and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, to avoid oxidation of the parchment or ink.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Encased in | 70 bolts and an O-ring made of nickel and tin |
| Seal pressure | More than 300 pounds per linear inch |
| Air replaced with | Inert argon, kept at about 40 percent humidity and 67 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Purpose of argon | To avoid oxidation of parchment or ink |
| Government secrecy | A building could collapse around the encasements and they would survive |
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What You'll Learn

The documents are kept in encasements with 70 bolts
The Constitution is a document that is protected both physically and chemically. The Charters of Freedom, as the three documents are collectively called, are kept in encasements with 70 bolts, which deform an O-ring made of nickel and tin to lock in the documents with a seal pressure of more than 300 pounds per linear inch. This seal pressure should hold for more than 100 years. The encasements are also kept in inert argon, at about 40% humidity and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, to avoid oxidation of the parchment or ink. The government won't reveal the secrets of the document's security, but it is believed that the encasements could survive a building collapsing around them.
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The air is replaced with inert argon to avoid oxidation
The Constitution document is protected by encasing it in a seal pressure of more than 300 pounds per linear inch. This is achieved by using an O-ring made of nickel and tin, which deforms beneath the pressure of 70 bolts on each encasement. The air is replaced with inert argon, kept at about 40% humidity and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, to avoid oxidation of the parchment or ink. This should hold for more than 100 years.
The government won't reveal the secrets of document security, other than to assure the public that a building could collapse around the encasements and they would survive.
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The encasements are kept at 40% humidity and 67 degrees Fahrenheit
The Constitution is kept in encasements with an O-ring made of nickel and tin, which deforms beneath the pressure of 70 bolts on each encasement. The encasements are kept at 40% humidity and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, with inert argon replacing air to avoid oxidation of the parchment or ink. The seal pressure is more than 300 pounds per linear inch and should hold for more than 100 years. The government won't reveal the secrets of document security, but it is believed that the encasements could survive a building collapsing around them.
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The O-ring is made of nickel and tin
The Constitution is a charter of negative liberties, which means it tells the federal government or the state to leave people alone. It does not require the federal government or the state to provide services, even if they are as basic as maintaining law and order.
The Constitution is protected by being encased in an O-ring made of nickel and tin. This O-ring deforms beneath the pressure of 70 bolts on each encasement, locking in the documents with a seal pressure of more than 300 pounds per linear inch. This seal should hold for more than 100 years. The O-ring is made of nickel and tin because these metals are strong and durable, and can withstand high pressures without deforming.
The government won't reveal the secrets of document security, but they have assured the public that the encasements could survive a building collapsing around them. In addition, inert argon, kept at about 40% humidity and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, replaces the air to avoid oxidation of the parchments or ink.
The Constitution is made up of three documents collectively called the Charters of Freedom. These documents are displayed, rather than locked away, because they are like witnesses to the past and allow people to have difficult conversations.
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The documents are kept under lock and key
The documents are kept in encasements with an O-ring made of nickel and tin that deforms beneath the pressure of 70 bolts on each encasement to lock in the documents with a seal pressure of more than 300 pounds per linear inch that should hold for more than 100 years. The air is replaced with inert argon, kept at about 40 per cent humidity and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, to avoid oxidation of parchment or ink.
The government won't reveal the secrets of document security, other than to assure us that a building could collapse around the encasements and they would survive.
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Frequently asked questions
The document is kept in an encasement with 70 bolts, which creates a seal pressure of more than 300 pounds per linear inch. It is also kept in inert argon, at about 40% humidity and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, to avoid oxidation of the parchment or ink.
The government won't reveal the secrets of the document's security, but they have said that a building could collapse around the encasements and they would survive.
The document is kept in an encasement with 70 bolts, which creates a seal pressure of more than 300 pounds per linear inch.
























