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The Book of Terms

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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.

   

 

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

Impulse Test

An insulation test in which the voltage applied is an impulse voltage of specified wave shape.

In Phase

The condition existing when waves pass through their maximum and minimum values of like polarity at the same instant.

In Tandem

An arrangement of stands in a rolling mill, one after another, so that the piece, being rolled can travel in one direction through a number of stands. Contrast with in train. See Continuous Mill. Also describes multiple production machines such as wiredrawing machines electronically connected to an extruder where conductor is drawn, insulated and packaged in one operation.

Inching

Easing or jogging a drawing machine slowly when threading up. This is usually pro­vided for in the electric controls, magnetic clutches, plate clutches or similar mechani­cal devices.

Incidental Elements

Elements commonly found in metal, not required or ordered to meet customer specifications. Also called residual elements.

Inclined Roll Straightening

The process of straightening round rod or tube by passing the product through a machine with rolls having special contours and whose axes are at a slight angle so as to give the product a helical forward motion with repeated flexing in all planes through the axis.

Included Approach Angle

The full or total profile angle in the entry of a wiredrawing die that is twice the half angle.

Inclusion Breaks

A type of wire break caused by foreign particles being embedded in the wire. The embedded particles weaken the cross section as the wire is drawn to smaller diameters and will ultimately lead to a wire break at the site of the inclusion.

Inclusions

Particles of foreign material in a metallic matrix. The particles are usually compounds (such as oxides, sulfides or silicates), but may be of any substance that is foreign to (and essentially insoluble in) the matrix. In general they are detrimental to mechanical properties but much depends on the number, their size, shape and distribution.

Incomplete Anneal

Term used during the annealing process when the metal is not brought up to recrystallization temperature or not held at proper heat for the necessary length of time.

Incomplete Solution

The result of a short cycle, or incorrect temperature during a solution heat-treating process, particularly on aluminum alloys. For heat-treating, there may be a loss of mechanical properties, loss of corrosion resistance and variations in color when anodized.

Indent Marking

See Marking, Indent.

Indentation Hardness

The resistance of a material to indentation. This is the usual type of hardness test, in which a specified shape of a specified material is pressed into the material under a substantially static load. (See hardness tests.)

Independent Wire Rope Core

A wire rope used as the core of a larger rope.

Index Edge

See Reference Edge.

Index of Refraction

The ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in a material.

Indication

In inspection, a response to a nondestructive stimulus that implies the presence of an imperfection. The indication must be interpreted to determine if (a) it is a true indication or a false indication and (b) whether or not a true indication represents an unacceptable deviation.

Indirect Extrusion

An extrusion process in which the metal is forced back inside a hollow ram that pushes the die.

Indirect Refractometer

An instrument used for relatively quick readings of fluid concentration at tank side.

Individual Strand Diameter

The diameter of an individual wire of a stranded cable.
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