Mechanical Engineering Terms and Definitions

Allowance: The permissible difference in dimensions to allow for various fits.

Backlash: The clearance between the meshing gear or splined members which must be taken up before driving in the reverse direction.

Base Metals: Metals which corrode, tarnish or oxidize on exposure to air, moisture or heat.

Bearing: The part of a mechanism in which a rotating shaft revolves and is supported

Bore: The internal diameter of a cylindrical part.

Brittleness: The liability of a metal to fracture on receiving a blow or shock.

Burr: A rough or sharp edge left on metal after it has been worked

Bush: A hollow, cylindrical one piece bearing.

Clearance: The space provided between two working parts to allow for freedom of movement, lubrication and variation of size or position due to heat or distortion.

Conductivity: The ability or capacity of a metal to conduct heat or electricity.

Drawing: Pulling a metal through a die or succession of dies in order to produce a required cross sectional shape.

Ductility: The property whereby a metal can be drawn ot into a wire without cracking.

Elasticity: The capacity of a material to return to its original dimensions on the removal of distorting forces .

Extrusion: Forcing plastic material through a die of the required shape by means of hydraulic pressure.

Fatigue: The diminishing resistance to fracture caused by fluctuating stresses.

Forging: The operation of shaping hot metals bu means of hammers of presses.

Fusibility: The capacity of being melted.

Hardness: The ability of a material to resist abrasion, penetration, indentation or cutting action.

Journal: That part of a shaft which is in contact with and supported by a bearing.

Malleability: The property of being permanently extended or flattened by hammering, rolling, or pressing without rupture.

Mandrel: An accurately ground shaft for supporting or locating a hollow part during measurement, or machining.

Spinning: Shaping sheet metal by applying pressure while revolving.

Stamping: Shaping and/or cutting by means of dies in a press.

Swaging: Shaping by pressure or hammering the metal in a die of required shape.

Tenacity: The property of resisting breakage when under the application of a pulling force.

Tolerance: A permissible range of dimensions of finished component provided to cover unavoidable inaccuracies in manufacture.

Toughness: The property of resisting breakage when subjected to bending, a sudden blow or twist.

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