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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

Cold Flow

Permanent deformation of material/insulation due to mechanical force of pressure (not due to heat softening).

Cold Forging

A method of forming shaped steel products from cut lengths of bar or from pre-pressed blanks by applying a sequence of operations such as heading, upsetting, pre-forming, forward or backward extrusion, pressing to shape, drawing, piercing and other operations, with intermediate annealing and surface treatment as necessary. See Cold Heading.

Cold Galvanizing

A designation for applying zinc-rich primers to provide galvanic protection. Another method, mechanical galvanizing with zinc powder, has gained wide acceptance as an alternative to hot dip galvanizing and zinc plating of fasteners and other small components. Compared to plating of high strength fasteners, the risk for hydrogen embrittlement is very much reduced.

Cold Heading

A manufacturing process that forces metal to flow, upon impact, into dies to form different shapes and sections. The term broadly covers both upsetting (the expansion of the body of the part) and heading (the forming of the end of the section). Although mostly used for the production of bolts, screws and rivets, the process is applicable to a wide variety of special parts. Wire or bar stock is generally used in heading operations. While the process is referred to as “cold,” a considerable amount of heat can be generated.

Cold Heading Quality

A product that is made through closely controlled factory practices that include special melting, rolling, conditioning and inspection and testing to be defect-free and satisfactory for cold heading applications.

Cold Joint

See Cold Solder Joint.

Cold Shortness

A lack of ductility at temperatures below the recrystallization temperature.

Cold Shut

1) A discontinuity that appears on the surface of cast metal as a result of two streams of liquid slashing and swirling against the mold, particularly at the start of the pouring of each bar, and failing to unite. 2) A surface defect on a forging or billet that closed without complete bonding during deformation. 3) An irregularity that forms on the top of an ingot before solidification is complete within the mold.

Cold Solder Joint

A solder connection exhibiting poor wetting and a grayish, porous appearance due to insufficient heat, inadequate cleaning prior to soldering, or to excessive impurities in the solder solution.

Cold Test

Any test to determine the performance of cables during or after subjection to a specified low temperature for a specified time.

Cold Welding

See Welding, Cold.

Cold Work

Deformation or reduction of area that occurs in wire or rod at room temperature. See Cold Drawing, Cold Heading.

Cold-Worked State

The condition of metal that underwent cold working.

Collated Nails

Nails with specially shaped heads that are attached in strips for use in power nailing guns.

Colliery Mesh and Netting

Wire products used for solid packing of coalfaces to enable the exposed face excavation to be kept small so that the roof is supported without delay.

Colloid

A substance that is in a state of division that prevents passage through a semipermeable membrane. See Colloidal Graphite.

Colloidal Graphite

A finely divided graphite that is capable of forming colloidal suspensions in water or oil. It is used as a lubricant, and is particularly suitable for hot drawing. It is usually supplied as a colloidal suspension of about 18 percent in water or as a fine suspension in oil, and then diluted with distilled or de-mineralized water.

Color Code

The use of different colored insulated wires in multi-conductor cable for purposes of identification.

Columbium

Element, chemical symbol Cb, also known as Niobium (Nb). This metal may be added to chrome-nickel stainless steel to improve its welding qualities by preventing carbide precipitation. A refractory metal used as an alloying agent in steel making, it is essential for high-strength, low-alloy grades and helps in terms of grain refinement and hardenability. It has some “worked metal” uses, mostly alloyed with zirconium or titanium for aerospace applications.

Columnar Compression

Term used to describe a condition created during welding of wire or rod. When overheating, which is usually due to excess current, the ends are compressed and the softened metal fans out beyond the diameter while it is in a plastic state.
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