631749 - GLOSSARY

CONDENSATION

This is the change of a substance from a vapour state to a liquid state; this takes place through compression or cooling.

EVAPORATION

This is the phenomenon of change of a body from a liquid state to a gaseous state. It takes place at any temperature, but the lower the temperature, the slower the process.

RESONANCE

This is the phenomenon where the amplitude of the oscillations in a vibrant system tend, in certain conditions, to be amplified beyond all limits.

VISCOSITY

This is the property of a material where the particles in a body meet "resistance" as they slide against one another.The resistance or internal friction value depends on the nature of the body: large in solids, very small in viscous liquids and nil in gases.Viscosity in liquids decreases rapidly as the temperature increases.

HARDENED AND TEMPERED STEEL

This is a thermal treatment applied to special steels to improve mechanical properties: it consists of hardening followed by tempering to confer a significant increase in toughness on the material.

HARDNESS TEMPERING

This is achieved when the structure of the metal at high temperatures is harder and more resistant than when cold.

TEMPERING

This consists of heating at a temperature of %lt; 720°C followed by slow cooling in order to reduce the effects of the tempering without eliminating them.In this way, the material returns to the closest possible chemical/physical stable balance conditions.

SENSOR

This is a system which, stressed by any form of energy whatsoever, reacts by changing its state, i.e. one or more of its specifications (resistance, volume, temperature, etc.).For example, a sensor is a material which, immersed in a magnetic field, undergoes a variation in its conductivity.New generation sensors are devices in a solid state produced through microelectronic technology capable of allowing the ambient to be read and providing responses in the form of electric type signals for subsequent processing and final control actions.They are therefore capable of measuring force, acceleration, pressure and temperature of gases, liquids and solids, etc.