Materials Science Glossary - W

wave-mechanical model. An atomic model in which electrons are treated as being wavelike.

weight percent (wt%). A concentration specification on the basis of weight (or mass) of a particular element relative to the total alloy weight (or mass).

weld decay. Intergranular corrosion that occurs in some welded stainless steels at regions adjacent to the weld.

welding. A technique for joining metals in which actual melting of the pieces to be joined occurs in the vicinity of the bond. A filler metal H may be used to facilitate the process.

whisker. A very thin, single crystal of high perfection that has an extremely large length-to-diameter ratio. Whiskers are used as the reinforcing phase in some composites.

white cast iron. A low-silicon and very brittle cast iron in which the carbon is in combined form as cementite; a fractured surface appears white.

whiteware. A clay-based ceramic product that becomes white after high-temperature firing; whitewares include porcelain, china, and plumbing sanitary ware.

working point (glass). The temperature at which a glass is easily deformed, which corresponds to a viscosity of 103 Pa s (104 P).

wrought alloy. A metal alloy that is relatively ductile and amenable to hot working or cold working during fabrication.