Heating and coolingto low temperatures to homogenize stresses so as to afford the best possible combination of ductility and strength. For metal alloys this partial recovery process increases yield strength significantly, with slight increases in tensile strength and hardness, but little change in percent elongation. Stress equalizing, which is often applied to coil springs and wire forms in their finished shape, is a common practice in many wire-manufacturing operations.

1) In a spring, the difference between the stresses induced by the maximum and minimum applied loads in a component subjected to cyclic loading. 2) In fatigue, the difference between the maximum and minimum stress in one cycle of repetitively varying stress.

A process of reducing residual stresses in a metal object by heating the a metal object to a suitable temperature below annealing or transition temperatures, and holding for a sufficient time, usually followed by slow cooling. This treatment may be applied to relieve stresses induced by casting, quenching, normalizing, machining, cold working or welding. Steel wire makers may relieve stresses created in the wiredrawing process to increase the final tensile strength and preventing stress corrosion.

As applied to uniaxial tension and compression tests, force divided by the original area. It is also referred to as “engineering stress” because it is easier to measure than the “true stress.”

See Stress, Conventional.

The stress computed by simple elasticity formulas, ignoring stress raisers and disregarding plastic flow.

Stress in a normal (perpendicular) direction relative to a plane (or surface).

Stress directed parallel to a plane (or surface). Also referred to as “tangential stress.” Friction acts upon surfaces through shear stresses. In a rod in torsion, it maximum shear stress is calculated by multiplying the axial twisting moment (torque) in Newton-meters by 16 and dividing by the cube of the rod diameter in meters and by pi (p).

As applied to uniaxial tension and compression tests, The stress where force and area are measured at the same time. Stress is calculated as force divided by the minimum cross-sectional area of the test specimen. Thus it is harder to measure than engineering stress, which only measures area before the test begins.

Heating and cooling to effect partial softening. Also called Temper Annealing.

Mechanical element to relieve the electrical stress at a shielded cable terminations, high voltage motor and pad-mounted transformer installations. Used above 2kV to prevent insulation failure.

A method of evaluating elevated temperature durability in which a tension test specimen is stressed under constant load until it breaks. Data recorded commonly includes initial stress, time to rupture, initial extension, creep extension and reduction of area at fracture. Often used as a more economical and faster alternative to creep testing.

A plot of stress versus strain generated during a uniaxial tensile or compression test from which the values of yield strength, ultimate strength, percent elongation and in some cases elastic modulus can be determined. The most common types of stress-strain curves are referred to as “engineering,” “true,” or “cyclic.” The engineering type is used most often in the wire industry because the curve can be generated with less information. The true type is more accurate, but is only used for advanced analysis, such as in determining working limits for complex deformations. A cyclic curve uses the same basic calculations as the engineering type, but load is repeatedly applied and released from the material for use in fatigue studies.A graph in which stress (load divided by the original cross sectional area of the test piece) is plotted against strain (the extension divided by the length over which it is measured).

The initial electro-deposition of metal.

The effective distance between two conductors separated by an insulating fluid such as air.

A defect created where there is an excess of oxygen in the product. It can develop to a point where it causes fractures.

Threading a wire, after pointing the end, through successive dies and around successive capstans until a wiredrawing machine is ready to commence running.

To remove insulation from a cable.

The force required to remove a section of insulating material from the conductor it covers.

A machine that automatically measures to a predetermined length, cut, strip, count and tie wire in bundles. Used to remove the finished coil from the block of a wiredrawing machine. In some machines the stripper is fixed and the stripper and coil are trans­ported to subsequent operations. Collaps­ible strippers deposit the wire wherever re­quired. In high-speed machines the collaps­ible stripper is inserted into a specially designed block after the coil is drawn.