Lexicon
C
Call Option
A Call option signifies the right to buy an item or value (e.g. a stock) at a predetermined fixed price, “strike price”, either during its validity period (American option) or at maturity (European option); there is however no obligation to buy.
Carbide
Carbide is the reaction of carbon with a more electropositive element (anion with cation). In the structure of steel, a one such carbide is Fe3C, also know as Cementite. Together with Ferrite it forms the structure Pearlite. The resistance of steel in a nealed condition is determined by the ferrous carbide content, since carbide has a high toughness level. High-speed steel und hard metal alloys owe their cutting edge to carbides of hard materials tungsten, titanium, tantalum, niobium etc. Carbide is used in the wear protection of surfaces (e.g. tungsten carbide).
Carbon
Chemical element: C. Naturally found in different variations, crystalline in the form of diamonds, graphite or as amorphous carbon. In iron production it is used as a reducing and carburisation agent. In steel production carbon is the alloy which transforms iron into steel.
Charge
Another name for infeed when placing in a metallurgic container. Charge is the introduction of the material, charge time the period of treatment.
Chromium
Chemical element: Cr. density 6.92 g/cm³ (heavy metal). Cr belongs to the ferric family; it is one of the most important alloy metals. Either on its own or with other alloys it gives steel a good hardness (heat-treated steel). It is a strong carbide former and increases the firmness, hardness and yield strength of steel (tool steel). Steels containing more than 12% (10.5%) Cr are corrosion resistant (non-rust). Cr improves the magnetic property (constant magnetic materials contain up to 9% Cr). Cr decreases heat conductivity, making high chromium steels difficult to forge. Chromium coatings protect metal surfaces against corrosion and abrasion. Steel can be chromed by diffusion.
Cobalt
Chemical element Co. density 8.9 g/cm³. A light grey ferro-magnetic slightly ductile metal with a good chemical stability. Co belongs to the Austenite family. With Cr or W it forms a wear and heat resistant hard alloy. Used as an alloy in extremely tough construction steel, high-speed steel, permanent magnetic materials and high temperature alloys. Co is also used as a bonding agent in sintered hard (metal) alloys.
Contango
Contango is the difference between the cash and the future price. It can be explained thus: if an object is bought today, yet ownership is deferred for 3 months, the capital is still committed. In addition to this the object may have to be stored, causing storage and insurance costs. The ensuing interest and costs are reflected in the contango. The contango is usually favourable, but under certain circumstances can become negative in which case it is called a backwardation.
Copper
Chemical element Cu, density 8.93 g/cm³ . Amongst all the technical non ferrous metals copper is the best electricity conductor, has a high corrosion resistance and is extremely flexible. It is used either in pure form or with a little alloy additive for parts which are heated (furnace nozzles, casting moulds, electrodes for resistors), in heat conducting apparatus (heating cooling elements), as a coating metal used in plating, as an alloy in bearings and hard soldering. Electric arc furnaces have electrodes of conductive copper. Cu is alloyed to steel in volumes of between 0.2 and 0.5%. It increases its tensile strength, yield point and hardness. Copper content of over 0.2%, in combination with phosphorous and other alloys, improves the weathering resistance. A precipitation hardening is possible with a copper content of 1.3%, since the solubility of copper in iron reduces with falling temperatures. A damaging brittleness is caused with upwards of around 0.5% copper in steel.
..