An alternative name for wire made with an aluminum layer over a steel wire. The steel adds strength to the conductor.

An in-line controlled method of cooling carbon steel rods immediately after delivery from a rod-finishing mill. The rod is rapidly water-cooled to a predetermined temperature, formed into rod rings by a laying head and deposited on a conveyor where it is cooled in a controlled manner and later collected into coils. There are several types of Stelmor® systems. See following entries.

The Hybrid Cooling Stelmor® Process uses a combination of the other methods listed above in order to create specialized cooling conditions for specific carbon and alloy steel grades. For example, one or more fans at the beginning of the conveyor could be on to cool the rod to a pre-determined temperature, then the insulated covers on the rest of the conveyor could be used to slow cool the product from that temperature to produce the desired microstructure, mechanical properties or scale conditions.

The Retarded Cooling Stelmor® Process differs from the other methods listed above in that insulated covers are used along all or part of the conveyor, greatly reducing the cooling rate through transformation. The rod is coiled to a greater depth on the cooling deck (less ring-to-ring spacing) than with the Standard Stelmor Process. This process produces low-carbon steel grades with tensile strengths from 4 to 10% less than that of the Standard Stelmor Process, resulting in greater total drawability and more residual ductility after wiredrawing.

The Slow Cool Stelmor® Process operates at a slower speed than the Standard Stelmor Process, but it offers more flexibility for controlled rod cooling. This method results in low carbon and low alloy steel grades that have greater ductility and formability. The rod is coiled to a greater depth on the cooling deck (less ring-to-ring spacing) than with the Standard Stelmor Process.

The Standard Stelmor® Process produces a pseudo-patented microstructure in hot-rolled rod directly in sequence with the rod mill. The rod is cooled at an accelerated rate by forced air blowing, the cooling rate being determined by rod size and conveyor speed. The cooling rate during transformation is faster than that of air patenting, and the Standard Stelmor-processed rods have higher tensile strengths than comparable rods that are air-patented, but less than rods that are lead-patented.

In extrusion, hollow stem allows the product to pass through after it has been subjected to the forces of the die, affecting product profile.

A continuous wire the diameter of which increases at specific points by several hundred-thousandths of an inch. Used by jewel and watch makers for opening and enlarging jewel bearings, dressing precious stones and polishing their inside diameters. Diameters of step-wire vary from 0.06 to 0.9 mm.

An extruded shape whose cross-section changes in area at intervals in its length.

A shape usually produced by extrusion, whose cross-section changes in area at intervals in its length.

Stepper motors work on the principal of electrical pulses translated into mechanical movement. Whereas an AC or DC motor will rotate continuously, a stepper motor moves in fixed angular increments. The stepping action is imperceptible due to the small step size and damping in the mechanical system. This provides very good accuracy when positioning, even without feedback. For example, if a stepper motor runs at 25,000 steps per revolution and it is given 50,000 pulses, it will move exactly two revolutions.

The simplest form of stepper drive system consists of a DC power supply and a device called a “translator,” which accepts two inputs, pulse and direction, from an external source.

More sophisticated stepper drive systems are know as “indexers,” which include a controller that may be programmed for preset moves. Some indexers can perform only one or a limited number of simple moves, while more sophisticated systems can accept hundreds of lines of programming, and perform mathematical functions like circular interpolation. Such a system could be used for a traversing mechanism on a spooler, where the stepper motor is coupled to a linear actuator that moves the spool from side to side as it is spooling wire.

Used in extrusion process where there are periodic fluctuations due to a change in fluid pressure causing a change in exit speed of the product.

A parameter in the manufacturing of plastic material where the increase in density proportionally creates a stiffer material. Stiffness is a criterion in the fabrication of jacketing and the fabrication of cable.

A wire weaving term denoting the rings forming divisions on a warp beam between which the wire is wound.

Designation for conductor like ST, but with oil-resistant thermoplastic outer jacket. 600V, 60°C (140°F).

Normally certain uniform lengths subject to established tolerances (including Standard Lengths) actually carried in mill and warehouse stocks. The nominal lengths actually carried will vary considerably with the product, alloy size, mill source and warehouse location.

In some products and sizes it is customary to include with stock lengths the end pieces resulting from cutting, according to established short length schedules.

Wire used as a cutting blade by carrying an abrasive slurry and water through the cut. It is composed of two general varieties: flat ribbon wire or two- or three-strand wire that can be round or shaped.