Let R be an associative ring. A map σ : R → R is called a ring endomorphism if σ(x+y) = σ(x)+σ(y) and σ(xy) = σ(x)σ(y) for all elements a,b ∈ R. A ring R is said to be rigid if it has only the trivial ring endomorphisms, that is, identity idR and zero 0R . Rigid left Artinian rings were described by Maxson [9] and McLean [11]. Friger [4, 6] has constructed an example of a noncommutative rigid r...

Given a significative class F of commutative rings, we study the precise conditions under which a commutative ring R has an F -envelope. A full answer is obtained when F is the class of fields, semisimple commutative rings or integral domains. When F is the class of Noetherian rings, we give a full answer when the Krull dimension of R is zero and when the envelope is required to be epimorphic. ...