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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

Overlap

The amount the trailing edge laps over the leading edge of a spiral tape wrap. See Overfill.

Overload Capacity

The maximum level of current, voltage or power that a device can withstand before it is damaged.

Overpickling

A surface condition on pickled steel rod caused by excessive pickling time or insufficient inhibitor in the acid. Characterized by a black smut on the steel surface, which is very difficult to remove. High carbon steels are most prone to overpickling.

Overvoltage

Voltages above design specification, usually due to switching loads on and off, lightning or single phasing.

Oxalate Coating

A chemical coating suitable to act as a lubricant carrier. It is produced on stainless steels and most types of nickel/chrome alloys with a process based on oxalates and oxalic acid.

Oxidation

The process of uniting a compound with oxygen, usually resulting in unwanted surface degradation of the material or compound. See Corrosion.

Oxidation of Bright Drawn Steel

Corrosion of the surface of steel wire. May be caused by inefficient elimination of acid during the cleaning operation. Oxidation may be due to atmospheric conditions.

Oxide Discoloration

Discoloration of metal surface caused by oxidation during thermal treatment.

Oxide Inclusions

Particles that are generated in the molten metal during alloying, stirring or transferring. They become imbedded in the product. See Inclusions.

Oxide, Iron

See Scale.

Oxides in Steel

Inclusions composed of various oxides. Most oxides are non-deformable inclusions, which can result in fracture of very fine wires, e.g., tire cord wire. The addition of manganese is principally for the purpose of removing and neutralizing these impurities that are more frequently found in soft or low manganese qualities.

Oxycell

A solid electrolyte dip element used to control oxygen and liquid copper.

Oxygen

Oxygen is one of the chief constituents of the atmosphere of which it forms approximately one fifth. It is odorless and invisible. Although oxygen itself does not burn it is extremely efficient in supporting combustion, nearly all other chemical elements combine with it under evolution of heat. It has many uses in industry and is essential to the BOS (Basic Oxygen Steelmaking Process).

Oxygen Content

The amount of oxygen present in metal, either as solute or as a constituent of oxides or other compounds.

Oxygen Determination

A critical test performed on hot rolled copper rod in determining the oxygen content. Common test methods include the thermo conductivity method, vacuum fusion method, microstructure method and hydrogen reduction method.

Oxygen Index

A test to rate flammability of materials in a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen. Specifically the percentage of oxygen necessary to support combustion in a gas mixture. Flame retardant materials have a higher oxygen index.

Oxygen Probe

An atmosphere-monitoring device that electronically measures the difference between the partial pressure of oxygen in a furnace or furnace supply atmosphere and the external air.

Oxygen-Free Copper

See Copper, Oxygen-Free.

Ozone Test

Exposure of material to a high concentration of ozone to give an accelerated indication of oxidation in normal environments and in proximity to ozone producing apparatus. Some probes can also be used to measure the dissolved oxygen content in molten copper.
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