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More about this list The fourth entry is la passivation , and the word is far less technical than it looks. Underneath it lies the Latin verb pati , passus sum , which meant to undergo, to be on the receiving end of whatever happens. From it came the adjective passivus , which French made into passif and then, in the language of the laboratory, into la passivation — the state of a metal that has stopped reacting, a surface to which things are done and which does nothing back. English holds three familiar words from that same verb and keeps them in three different rooms. « A patient » is patiens , the one undergoing, which is why one word names both a sick person and the virtue of putting up with things. « Passion » is passio , an undergoing of suffering, and it named the Crucifixion for centuries before it ever named enthusiasm. And the passive voice is the grammar of a subject that acts not at all. Put the three side by side and the metallurgy explains itself: a passivated steel is a patient steel. Nothing has been added to it. It is safe because it has nothing left to give.
The words
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Adjective (1)
Grammar for these: Adjective agreement · Where the adjective goes
inoxydable stainless Adjective C2 Cet acier inoxydable rouille quand même dans l’eau salée. This stainless steel still rusts in salt water.
Noun (f) (20)
Grammar for these: Definite article: le, la, les · Indefinite article: un, une
la vitesse de corrosion the corrosion rate Noun (f) C2 La vitesse de corrosion double quand le sel s’en mêle. The corrosion rate doubles once salt gets involved.
la calamine the mill scale Noun (f) C2 La calamine se détache par plaques après le laminage. The mill scale comes away in plates after rolling.
la couche d’oxyde the oxide layer Noun (f) C2 La couche d’oxyde se referme d’elle-même à l’air. The oxide layer closes again by itself in air.
la passivation the passivation Noun (f) C2 La passivation protège tant que l’oxygène arrive. Passivation protects for as long as oxygen reaches the metal.
l’anode sacrificielle the sacrificial anode Noun (f) C2 L’anode sacrificielle se consomme à la place de la coque. The sacrificial anode is consumed instead of the hull.
la protection cathodique the cathodic protection Noun (f) C2 La protection cathodique demande un contrôle régulier. Cathodic protection calls for regular checking.
la corrosion par piqûres the pitting corrosion Noun (f) C2 La corrosion par piqûres perce la tôle sans l’amincir. Pitting corrosion pierces the sheet without thinning it.
la corrosion sous contrainte the stress corrosion cracking Noun (f) C2 La corrosion sous contrainte casse une pièce qui paraît saine. Stress corrosion cracking breaks a part that looks sound.
la fissure de fatigue the fatigue crack Noun (f) C2 La fissure de fatigue part souvent d’une soudure. The fatigue crack often starts at a weld.
l’adhérence du revêtement the coating adhesion Noun (f) C2 On mesure l’adhérence du revêtement par un essai de traction. Coating adhesion is measured by a pull-off test.
la préparation de surface the surface preparation Noun (f) C2 La préparation de surface décide de la tenue du système. Surface preparation decides how long the system lasts.
la durée de service the service life Noun (f) C2 La durée de service dépend surtout de l’entretien. Service life depends above all on maintenance.
la mesure d’épaisseur the thickness measurement Noun (f) C2 La mesure d’épaisseur se fait aux ultrasons. Thickness measurement is done by ultrasound.
la magnétoscopie the magnetic particle inspection Noun (f) C2 La magnétoscopie ne convient qu’aux aciers magnétiques. Magnetic particle inspection suits only magnetic steels.
la corrosion intergranulaire the intergranular corrosion Noun (f) C2 La corrosion intergranulaire suit les joints de grains. Intergranular corrosion follows the grain boundaries.
la nuance d’acier the steel grade Noun (f) C2 La nuance d’acier figure sur le bon de livraison. The steel grade appears on the delivery note.
la surépaisseur de corrosion the corrosion allowance Noun (f) C2 La surépaisseur de corrosion est prévue dès le calcul. The corrosion allowance is provided for at the design stage.
l’analyse de défaillance the failure analysis Noun (f) C2 L’analyse de défaillance commence par la pièce cassée. Failure analysis starts with the broken part.
la décision de remplacement the replacement decision Noun (f) C2 La décision de remplacement revient à l’exploitant. The replacement decision rests with the operator.
la peinture de protection the protective paint Noun (f) C2 La peinture de protection se refait avant que la rouille apparaisse. The protective paint is renewed before the rust shows.
Noun (m) (14)
Grammar for these: Definite article: le, la, les · Indefinite article: un, une
le couple galvanique the galvanic couple Noun (m) C2 Le couple galvanique se forme dès que deux métaux se touchent. A galvanic couple forms as soon as two metals touch.
l’interstice the crevice Noun (m) C2 L’humidité reste dans l’interstice entre les deux plaques. Moisture stays in the crevice between the two plates.
le revêtement anticorrosion the anti-corrosion coating Noun (m) C2 Le revêtement anticorrosion vieillit plus vite au soleil. The anti-corrosion coating ages faster in the sun.
le primaire d’accrochage the bonding primer Noun (m) C2 Le primaire d’accrochage se pose sur un support sec. The bonding primer goes on a dry substrate.
le grenaillage the shot blasting Noun (m) C2 Le grenaillage laisse une rugosité mesurable. Shot blasting leaves a measurable roughness.
l’inhibiteur de corrosion the corrosion inhibitor Noun (m) C2 L’inhibiteur de corrosion ralentit la réaction dans le circuit. The corrosion inhibitor slows the reaction in the circuit.
le film d’électrolyte the electrolyte film Noun (m) C2 Un film d’électrolyte invisible suffit à lancer la réaction. An invisible electrolyte film is enough to start the reaction.
l’écart au point de rosée the dew point margin Noun (m) C2 On ne peint pas si l’écart au point de rosée est trop faible. Nobody paints if the dew point margin is too small.
l’essai au brouillard salin the salt spray test Noun (m) C2 L’essai au brouillard salin compare deux peintures. The salt spray test compares two paints.
l’intervalle d’inspection the inspection interval Noun (m) C2 L’intervalle d’inspection se raccourcit avec l’âge de l’installation. The inspection interval shortens as the plant ages.
le contrôle par courants induits the eddy current testing Noun (m) C2 Le contrôle par courants induits repère les fissures sous la surface. Eddy current testing finds the cracks below the surface.
le pied de cordon the weld toe Noun (m) C2 Le pied de cordon concentre les contraintes. The weld toe concentrates the stresses.
l’élément d’alliage the alloying element Noun (m) C2 Un élément d’alliage en faible quantité change tout. A small amount of an alloying element changes everything.
le mécanisme de dégradation the degradation mechanism Noun (m) C2 Le mécanisme de dégradation se lit sur la surface de rupture. The degradation mechanism can be read on the fracture surface.
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