A generic name for a group of copper-based alloys. Historically, bronze is a copper rich, copper-tin alloy whose use can be traced back to 5000 BC. The term bronze now applies to a wide range of copper alloy compositions, including many binary alloys, aluminum bronze, beryllium bronze, manganese bronze, silicon bronze, all of which are essentially tin-free. At times, trace elements such as zinc, phosphorus and lead are added to enhance properties for specific applications. Bronze is used for screws, wire hardware, wear plates, bushings and springs. It also is used for trolley wire because of its high strength, high electrical conductivity and good wear resistance. It is somewhat stronger than copper and brass and has equal or better ductility.

A coating obtained by dipping in a coppering bath that contains tin salts. Greater care must be taken with the control of the solution since tin salts hydrolyze in acid solution.

This term is applied commercially to a copper-zinc alloy (i.e., brass) wire for bronze welding; to copper cadmium and to copper-cadmium-tin alloys containing over 98 percent copper, for high electrical conductivity coupled with high strength in comparison with pure copper; to copper-silicon alloys containing over 96 percent copper, used for electrical resistivity, corrosion resistance, strength or as a welding wire for the inert gas shielded process; and to copper-aluminum alloys (aluminum bronzes) containing over 92 percent copper, used for corrosion resistance, high strength or color; as well as being applied, more correctly, to the copper-tin alloys (bronzes, phosphor bronzes or tin bronzes).

See American Wire Gauge.

Term used to describe wire that exhibits an oxidized surface after drawing. This is attributed to poor rinsing after a chemical descaling where the surface of the rod or wire is contaminated with acid and iron prior to the coating being applied. The contaminants oxidize the surface under the coating prior to drawing.

A naturally occurring form of magnesium hydroxide. It is a source of magnesia and is used as an additive in certain refractories.

A conductor between the stationary and rotating parts of a machine, usually of carbon.

Prefix for a British Standard Specification number.

Designation for Bare Soft Copper, an uncoated annealed copper.

Basse tension (French), low tension.

See British Thermal Unit.

Alternate bulges and hollows recurring along the length of the product with the edges remaining relatively flat.

The deflection of a compression spring from its normal straight form that is liable to occur when the spring is too long in relation to its diameter.

To lightly abrade.

See Polished Surface.

A protective coating over a fiber. Additional layers of coating can be used to increase the diameter and add additional protection from mechanical damage and micro bending.

In an acid cleaning process, a tank charged with a small amount of caustic to help neutralize acid residue to prevent contamination of coating tanks by acid dragout.

A plastic tube used to contain several fibers within a cable structure. Often filled with a water-blocking compound or tape.

A light polish by use of fine abrasives applied by cloth wheels running at high speed.

A motorized device for removing flat cable insulation by means of one or two buffing wheels that melt the insulation and brush it away from the conductors. Also called Abrasion Stripper.