Glossary of Terms

Wire:
Filament of metal reduced to its final shape, size and physical properties by process of drawing through dies, usually rounded in shape.

Strand:
Multiple wires that are laid together helically and symmetrically arranged with uniform pitch or lay.

Cable:
Multiple strands that are laid together helically and symmetrically arranged in multiple layers with uniform pitch or lay.

Alloy:
Substance having metallic properties composed of two or more chemical elements intimately mixed and dissolved in each other when in molten state.

Lay Length Or Pitch:
Distance in a straight line, measured for a wire to make one complete spiral around the center or theoretical center of a strand or cable - either wound left hand "S" or right hand "Z".

Stress Relieved:
Treatment of product to reduce processing stresses built up in metal. Can be completed mechanically, thermally or with a combination of both.

Anneal:
Process of material being heated and cooled to reduce embrittlement and increase elongation.

Tensile:
Relative strength of metal based on breaking strength and area, usually expressed in pounds per square inch (PSI), Newtons/mm2 (N/mm2) or Kilograms/mm2 (Kg/mm2).

Breaking Strength:
Force required to mechanically fracture metal, expressed in pounds (lbs.), Newtons (N) or Kilograms (Kg).

Overall Diameter:
The measurement of the outside width of the finished strand or cable. For shaped products this includes width and thickness.

Tolerance:
Range of variance allowed for mechanical and chemical attributes.