Metal Glossary

Designed to be a quick reference guide for customers, the Cashmores glossary provides definitions of the latest metal industry terms.

Metal Glossary

Designed to be a quick reference guide for customers, the Cashmores glossary provides definitions of the latest metal industry terms.

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Camber
Straightness Tolerance

The permitted deviation from a true straight line, or bow, within a specified length of a product. The usual methods to determine such a deviation are with a straight edge and dial gauge or a flat plate and feeler gauges.
Carbide

A compound formed when an element, usually a metal, combines with Carbon. The carbides of metals are usually very hard. Both Iron and Chromium readily form carbides – Chromium has the greater affinity so will form its carbide in preference to Iron. This is a significant disadvantage in stainless steels as any carbide formation depletes the amount of chromium available to form the protective oxide layer. This is one reason why stainless steels have very low Carbon content (maximum 0.03% in low Carbon grades).
Related Terms: Carbide, Inter-granular Corrosion, Sensitisation, Stabilised Grades
Carbide Precipitation

This occurs in an alloy when the thermal conditions and processing allow one or more of the constituents react with any available Carbon to form discrete particles within the microstructure. Usually this is undesirable in austenitic and ferritic stainless steels as chromium carbide is formed preferentially and compromises the corrosion resistance.
Cartridge Brass

A 'straight' 70% Copper / 30% Zinc brass with excellent cold forming and deep-drawing properties. So called because it was originally used deep-draw cartridge cases it now has a wide range of industrial applications, particularly if severe deformation, such as spinning or flanging, in involved. Arsenical Brass may be preferred because of its superior corrosion resistance.
Cast
Heat, Melt

These terms are used interchangeably to refer to the product of a single melting furnace charge. Sometimes the furnace contents are tapped into two or more ladles when the product of each ladle may be called a separate cast. It is always assumed that the chemical composition of an entire cast will be uniform. This is described as the “cast analysis” on a Certificate of Conformity etc.
Cast
Heat, Melt

These terms are used interchangeably for the product of a single melting or refining furnace charge. Occasionally, if the furnace contents are cast into a number of different forms, these may be called separate casts.
Casting
Ingot Casting
The pouring of molten metal into a mould or die where it is allowed to solidify. When solidified, the resultant 'casting' takes on the shape and approximate dimensions of the mould. Examples
- Ingot for forging or other hot working
- Intermediate uses include extrusion billets, slabs for rolling, forging blanks.
- End use: valve body.
Cathode

The electrode in an electrochemical cell, through which positive electric current leaves an electrolyte. The electrode reaction at a cathode is a reduction of ions or molecules in the electrolyte by electrons emitted from the cathode. In corrosion processes, reduction of dissolved oxygen and emission of hydrogen are two common reactions. The current flow causes positive ions to migrate towards the cathode.
Cathodic Protection

Electrochemical corrosion protection achieved by lowering the electrode potential.
CEN

Comité Européen de Normalisation, aka European Committee for Standardisation. The body responsible for developing European Standards, often referred to as ‘Euro-Norms or EN for short.
Chalcocite

A Sulphide ore of Copper with the chemical formula Cu2S. It is a highly valued ore since it approaches 80% Copper by weight.
Chalcopyrite

An important ore of Copper. It is a Copper Iron Sulphite with the chemical formula CuFeS2.

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Metal Glossary

Metal Glossary

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