Glossary: Glossary ^[*]

A

abrasion

The process of grinding or wearing away through the use of abrasives; a roughening or scratching of a surface due to abrasive wear.

abrasive wear

The removal of material from a surface when hard particles slide or roll across the surface under pressure. The particles may be loose or may be part of another surface in contact with the surface being abraded. Compare with adhesive wear.

adhesive wear

The removal or displacement of material from a surface by the welding together and subsequent shearing of minute areas of two surfaces that slide across each other under pressure. Compare with abrasive wear.

alligatoring

The longitudinal splitting of flat slabs in a plane parallel to the rolled surface. Also called fishmouthing.

alligator skin

See orange peel.

ambient

Surrounding; usually used in relation to temperature, as "ambient temperature" surrounding a certain part or assembly.

annealing twin

A twin formed in a crystal during recrystallization.

anode

The electrode of an electrolytic cell at which oxidation occurs. Contrast with cathode.

arrest lines (marks)

See beach marks.

asperity

In tribology, a protuberance in the small-scale topographical irregularities of a solid surface.

axial

Longitudinal, or parallel, to the axis or centerline of a part. Usually refers to axial compression or axial tension.

axial strain

Increase (or decrease) in length resulting from a stress acting parallel to the longitudinal axis of a test specimen.