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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

Flow Marks

Wavy surface appearance of any object caused by improper flow of the resin onto the cable.

Flow Pattern

A phrase used for the pattern of deformation created during the actual metal flow in a cold-forming operation.

Fluid Lubrication

Use of a continuous fluid film during wiredrawing and rolling to prevent metal-to-metal contact. See Hydrodynamic Lubrication.

Fluidized Bed

A long container filled with solid particles of uniform size that, when air is blown from beneath, levitate or bubble in a controlled manner. Gas and air are injected to the system and combusted, enabling the unit to be used for continuous annealing or patenting of wire. The heat transfer rate of the fluidized bed is very high, similar to liquid lead.

Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene

A resin used for a wide range of demanding cable applications, FEP is similar to polytetrafluoroethylene but has a melting point about 50°C lower and slightly different physical properties. It is more easily processed than PTFE. Heat resistance and chemical inertness are outstanding. Foamed FEP with a dielectric constant of about 1.6 is also used.

Fluorocarbons

Resins that include fluorine in their molecular structure. The greater the fluorine content, the better are the polymer’s electrical mechanical, thermal and chemical properties. Poly­vinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, and perfluoroalkoxy are wire insulations from the fluorocarbon family. See individual listings.

Flux

1) A material used to either prevent the formation of or to dissolve and facilitate the removal of oxides and other undesirable substances in brazing, cutting, soldering or welding. 2) A material used to prepare the wire surface for further metallic coating. 3) The lines of force that make up an electrostatic field. 4) The rate of flow of energy across or through a surface.

Flux Vector Drive, AC

A high performance adjustable speed drive for an AC induction motor. By a combination of user-entered motor data and information that the drive senses from the motor, typical speed accuracy of +/-0.5% of base speed, even under changing load conditions, and a speed range of 40:1 or higher is achieved without the use of a feedback device. Used with a motor with encoder, speed accuracy to +/- 0.01% of base speed, and infinite speed range, including full torque at zero speed, is achieved. Typical applications include smaller bull blocks and dead blocks (under 150 HP), take-ups, spoolers and multi-pass draw machines.

Fly Screen Wire

A low-carbon, hard drawn wire with a finish suitable for electro­galvanizing or painting of the woven cloth. May be bright, coppered or galvanized.

Flyer

1) A device for feeding wire spin yarns such as silk and rayon. 2) A holder for the fiber, tape or other insulating material in a covering machine; also known as a serving head. 3) The cradles of stranding machines are also sometimes known as flyers. 4) A circular guide on a stationary payoff spool to guide the wire over the spool flange. 5) A device that allows a core to be removed from a reel, much like thread to be pulled from a bobbin.

Flyer Wire

A high-carbon steel wire, either hard-drawn or oil-tempered, that must be hard enough to withstand the abrasive action of the threads, yet suitable for forming into intricate designs.

Flying Shears

Apparatus for cutting billets or bars while in motion, the shears being synchronized with the speed at which the metal is traveling. The flying shear crops (cuts) the bar coming from the caster units into pieces when the mill cannot take the bar, but the furnace must continue to pour.

FM

Designation for Frequency Modulated.

Foamed Insulation

Insulation made sponge-like using foaming or blowing agents to create the cells.

Foamed Plastics

Resins in flexible or rigid sponge form with the cells closed or interconnected. These foamed insulations provide low dielectric constant and weight savings.

Foaming Agents

Added to pickling baths to produce a foam blanket that reduces acid fumes.

Foamskin

Polyolefin foam insulation with a high-density polyolefin outer skin.

Foamskin Cable

A cable with a foamed polyolefin inner layer covered by a solid polyolefin skin as the conductor insulation.

Foil

A thin, continuous sheet of metal, usually copper or aluminum, in any width, but no more than 0.005 in. thick. Applications include foil for electrical coils as a replacement for copper magnet wire.

Foil Insulation

Shield in the shape of a foil, which is woven over a conductor to assist in overcoming radiation. The foil shield could be a polyester film that is laminated to aluminum foil, creating a tape that offers an excellent metallic shield on one side and an excellent insulator on the opposite side.

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