Specialty metals with proprietary chemistries and designations, often made for specific high-strength or corrosive resistant applications. Sometimes considered to be the low end of the various families of super alloys.

Also known as “specialty stainless steels,” these are batch-produced iron based metals with varying degrees of such additives as chrome, nickel, cobalt, titanium, manganese, copper and molybdenum to add strength or corrosion-resistance.

The ratio of the mass of a body to the mass of equal volume of water at a specified temperature (4°C).

The ratio of a substance’s thermal capacity to that of water at 15°C.

See Dielectric Constant.

Discard detailed in the customer’s specifications, usually taken on the ingot.

The difference between wavelengths at which the radiant intensity of illumination is half its peak intensity.

The distribution of the amplitude (and sometimes phase) of the components of the wave as a function of frequency. Frequencies that exist in a continuous range and have a common characteristic.

An obsolete term for zinc used in galvanizing. Hard spelter or dross is the compound FeZn formed in the galvanizing bath mainly by the reduction of iron salts on the surface of material being galvanized.

Thermal treatments for steel that causes the carbides to agglomerate in the form of small spheres, or globules. Steel is spheroidized to obtain minimum hardness with maximum ductility for further cold-forming operations. This improves the machinability of high carbon steels but reduces it for low-carbon steels. There are several methods for spheroidize annealing, all of which include heating to a specified temperature followed by very slow cooling. The specific treatment depends on several factors, including the chemical composition of the steel, its microstructure and forming history, and the condition and properties required in the product. When applied to wire or rod for the purpose of facilitating subse­quent drawing, it is common to make provision for air, or air and steam, to be admitted to the furnace to promote scaling of the material.

Thermal treatments for steel that causes the carbides to agglomerate in the form of small spheres, or globules. Steel is spheroidized to obtain minimum hardness with maximum ductility for further cold-forming operations. This improves the machinability of high carbon steels but reduces it for low-carbon steels. There are several methods for spheroidize annealing, all of which include heating to a specified temperature followed by very slow cooling. The specific treatment depends on several factors, including the chemical composition of the steel, its microstructure and forming history, and the condition and properties required in the product. When applied to wire or rod for the purpose of facilitating subse­quent drawing, it is common to make provision for air, or air and steam, to be admitted to the furnace to promote scaling of the material.

The turnstile which collects coil to hold for transporting to the next operation.

Spiegeleisen, a type of pig iron, is an alloy made of manganese that is used in steel production. Alloys high in manganese are called ferromanganese while those low in manganese are called spiegeleisen.

A pulse with great magnitude.

The addition of a de-oxidizing agent (ferromanganese, ferrosilicon, silco-manganese, etc.) to liquid steel, either during the melting operation or at the time of transfer from the furnace to the ladle. Sometimes called blocking the heat.

A rotating member that holds the dies that straighten the wire in a straightening and cutting machine. The wire does not rotate in these machines.

See Cast of Wire.

A method of assessing the suitability of copper wire for enameling. Ductility properties are deter­mined by annealing the wire at 200°C (392°F), winding it into a coil and elongating it by a given load. The weight is released and the length of the stretched coil measured. Longer is better as a larger elongation means less elastic recovery and more ductility.

A continuous spiral mark applied to a conductor for identification.

A metallic shield of fine stranded wires applied spirally rather than braided.