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The Book of Terms

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The Book of TermsThe WJI Book of Wire & Cable Terms: an interactive experience of learning and sharing
This book, written by industry volunteers and containing more than 5,000 entries, is an asset for newcomers to wire and cable.

At the same time, it also represents an opportunity for industry veterans to give back by either updating or adding to the more than 5,000 entries. This is an honor system process. Entries/updates must be non-commercial, and any deemed not to be so will be removed. Share your expertise as part of this legacy project to help those who will follow. Purchase a printed copy here.

   

 

0-9   A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Chromium Nickel Steel

Stainless steel wires have excellent welding characteristics, the 18 percent chromium, 8 percent nickel alloy being most widely used. The 25 percent chromium, 12 percent nickel quality, in addition to being highly resistant to corrosion, also has wide uses because it has exceptional resistance to scaling at temperatures up to 2120°F (1150°C).

Chromium Oxide Scale

This scale on stainless steel wire and rod is impervious to acid attack, and can only be eliminated by mechanical abrasion methods such as grinding (or, if not too severe, by hand rubbing with a wire brush). Formation of chromium oxides during heat treatment of chromium-nickel steels is very difficult to avoid, due to the strong affinity between chromium and oxygen.

Chromium Plating

Used for a hard deposit for engineering purposes or in conjunction with nickel to produce a decorative/protective finish. Hard chromium is applied directly to the basis metal to create a surface that is extremely hard, highly resistant to abrasion, has an extremely low co-efficient of friction and good anti-seize properties.

Chromium Silicon Steel

A low-alloy steel of this type is sometimes used for springs, an approximate composition being 1 percent chromium, 1 percent silicon and 0.40 percent carbon.

Chromium Steel

Steel containing over 0.5 percent chromium.

Chromium Vanadium Steel

A wire often used for motor valve springs and other high-quality springs. Contains up to 1.5 percent chromium and about 0.15 percent vanadium.

CI

Designation for Cast Iron.

Cigarette Wrap

Tape insulation wrapped longitudinally instead of spirally over a conductor.

Cigarette Wrap Tape

The wrapping of a material longitudinally instead of spirally over a conductor. The material is added to insulate the conductor or separate the conductor from the insulation material that is applied over the wrap.

Circlip

A wire bent round to form the greater part of a circle, used for retaining gears, sleeves, etc., in position.

Circuit

A complete path over which electrons can flow from the negative terminals of a voltage source through parts and wires to the positive terminals of the same voltage source. When the continuity of the circuit is broken it is called an open circuit.

Circuit Breaker

A switch that automatically interrupts a circuit upon predetermined abnormal conditions such as overcurrent, undervoltage, etc.

Circuit Foot

One foot of circuit. For example, if one has a three-conductor circuit, then each linear foot of circuit would have three circuit feet.

Circuit Sizes

A popular term for building wire sizes 14 through 10 AWG.

Circular Mil

A unit of measure used to define the area of a wire. The area of a circle one 1/1000 of an inch (3.9 x 10-5mm.) in diameter. As the number of circular mils increases, the size of a wire in­creases.

CL

Designation for Center Line.

Cladding

A method of bonding a layer, or layers, of metal over another metal. This bonding may be done by co-rolling, thermal spray coating, heavy chemical deposition or heavy electroplating. Cladding is formed to impart specific properties to the outer layer, i.e., increased wear and corrosion resistance. For some end uses, the material must be reduced in the drawing process without any change in the cross-sectional propor­tions of the two metals.

Clamping Die

In a resistance welding machine, the device which clamps the components to be welded and conducts the current to them. Also known as contact-jaw.

Clarification

The gravity separation of particulate matter from a liquid. It is typically used for cleaning metalworking coolants for either disposal or re-use.

Class

See Stranding, Class.
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