Wirenet Image Band
wirenet.org mobile image band

The Book of Terms

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.

   

 

All   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

Bonding Wires

These normally consist of a standard synthetic enameled wire overcoated with a thermoplastic material. The properties of the basic enameled wires are unaffected by the addition of the bonding coat, which permits the use of these wires in self-supporting formless coils.

Boom Attachment

A horizontal pole fitted to industrial trucks for the handling of wire in coil.

Boort

This term, included for historical purposes, once meant all stones not of gem quality, but it was changed to include stones that are not even useful for diamond tools. It is a material that can only be used for crushing purposes. Also called Boart, Bort, or Borts.

Booster

A device inserted into a line (or cable) to increase the voltage. Boosting generators are also used to raise the level of a DC line. Transformers are usually employed to boost AC voltages. The term is also used for antenna preamplifiers.

Boot

There are three basic uses. 1) Protective covering over any portion of a cable, wire or connector in addition to the normal jacketing or insulation. 2) A form placed around wire termination of a multiple-contact connector to contain the liquid potting compound before it hardens. 3) A protective housing usually made from a resilient material to prevent entry of moisture into a connector.

Borax

This crystalline salt, sodium tetraborate decahydrate, is mainly used as a coating material in the dry drawing of both low- and high-carbon steel wire. The borax serves to neutralize residual acid and acts as a lubricant carrier in the dry drawing of wire.

Boron

Element, chemical symbol B. An alloying element used for two different purposes in wire rod production: 1) to increase hardenability in grades intended for heat treatment; and 2) to improve ductility and lower tensile strength in low-carbon grades.

Boron Carbide

This hard abrasive (B4C) is produced artificially. Used extensively in drilling and finishing of sintered carbide dies. Used only in loose form. When mixed with mineral oil, it forms an abrasive paste. A popular media for “ripping out” the die bores but not normally used for finishing carbide dies due to its rough grit.

Bort

This term, included for historical purposes, once meant all stones not of gem quality, but it was changed to include stones that are not even useful for diamond tools. It is a material that can only be used for crushing purposes. Also called Boart, Boorts, or Borts)

Borts

This term, included for historical purposes, once meant all stones not of gem quality, but it was changed to include stones that are not even useful for diamond tools. It is a material that can only be used for crushing purposes. Also called Boart, Bort, or Boort.

Boshes

Baths, such as those used in pickling operations.

Bottle Top Mold

An ingot mold that has a narrow throat at the top into which a metal piece, called a cap, is placed after the mold has been filled with molten steel. This mold is used when capped steel is made.

BOV

Designation for Brown Oil of Vitriol. See Vitriol.

Bow

The element in a buncher that is rotated to produce a twist in wire and cables. Individual wire or cables are fed through the bow and twisted together to produce core or twisted conductors, respectively.

Bow Twisters

Type of twisting technique for stranding bare and insulated conductor into power, control and communication cables.

Box Annealing

A process of annealing a ferrous alloy in a suitably closed metal container with or without protective materials to minimize oxidation. The charge is usually heated slowly to a temperature below the transformation range, but sometimes above or within it, and then cooled slowly. This process is also called “close annealing” or “pot annealing.”

Box Furnace

Term used for a square shaped furnace used to anneal/heat treat material. These units, which typically use a nitrogen atmosphere, are known for their relatively inexpensive operation with high tonnage output.

Box Grooves

Part of the wide range of grooving rolls that are designed to form the profile of the rod as it is being rolled through various stands.

BPF

Designation for Billion Paired Feet. See Billion Conductor Feet.

Braid

A fibrous or metallic group of filaments interwoven in cylindrical form to form a covering over one or more wires. Formed by laying a number of strands of material diagonally in such a way that one or more strands pass alternately over and under one or more strands laid up in the opposite direction. In a regular braid, two strands pass alternately over and under two strands. A finished braid shows two complete double ribs of herring bone formation in each line.
Display # 

Contact us

The Wire Association Int.

71 Bradley Road, Suite 9

Madison, CT 06443-2662

P: (203) 453-2777