- ASA
- Formerly, abbreviation for American Standards Association. Now known as American National Standards Institute.
- Asbestos
-
- A heat resistant and non-burning fibrous mineral (in combination with bonding materials like asphalts and resins) widely used for Brake shoes, Clutch linings, etc. Asbestos is a health hazard and the dust created by brake systems should never be inhaled or ingested.
- A group of naturally occurring minerals that separate into long, thin fibers.
- Asbestosis
- An incurable lung disease caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers over an extended period of time.
- A-screw
- Sheet metal screws with sharp-pointed ends, fewer threads per inch than type AB screws, and deeper threads with better gripping power than type AB. The Industrial Fasteners Institute incorrectly labels type A an "obsolete" thread though it is universally preferred in 18-8 stainless over type AB, especially by the marine industry.
- ASD
-
- Acronym for Automatic slip-control differential.
- Acronym for Automatic Shutdown Relay
- ASE
-
- Acronym for National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence
- Acronym for Automotive Service Excellence
- ASEAN
- Acronym for Association of South East Asian Nations.
- Ash
- Inorganic residue remaining after ignition of combustible substances determined by definite prescribed methods.
- ASN
- Acronym for Advance Shipping Notice which is sent to the warehouse to indicate that a shipment is on its way.
- Aspect ratio
-
- The ratio of length to width of rectangular air grille or duct.
- The relationship in a tire or wheel between the distance from the rim to the Tread and the tire's width (i.e., ratio of Section height to Section width). Thus, in a P185/80R13 tire, 80 is the aspect ratio, showing the height is 80% of the width. A lower aspect ratio describes a shorter, wider tire.
- In a wing, it is the relationship of its span (horizontal length) to its chord (height). Important for induced drag and range/speed characteristics. Defined as S²/A where S is the span and A is the area. Normal figure between 6 and 9, lesser values than 6 being low aspect ratio, greater than 9 high aspect ratios.
- Ratio of the length of a fiber or wire to its width or diameter.
- (AR) Ratio of the width to the height of the reproduced picture or computer screen, e.g., 4x3, often expressed with the height as unity. 1.331. Wide-screen systems have aspect ratios between 1.651 and 2.351.
- In a Tokamak type of fusion machine, the ratio of the major to minor radii of the torus.
Also see
- Asphalt (pronounced ASS-falt or ASH-falt)
-
- A bituminous substance found naturally in oil-bearing strata from which the volatiles have evaporated
- A residue in petroleum distillation
- A mixture of asphaltic Bitumen and granite chippings, sand, or powdered limestone. Asphalt is used extensively for paving, road-making, damp-proof courses, in the manufacture of roofing felt and paints and as the raw material for certain molded plastics.
- A dark brown-to-black cement-like material obtained by petroleum processing and containing bitumens as the predominant component; used primarily for road construction. It includes crude asphalt as well as the following finished products cements, fluxes, the asphalt content of emulsions (exclusive of water), and petroleum distillates blended with asphalt to make cutback asphalts. Note The conversion factor for asphalt is 5.5 barrels per short ton.
- Asphaltenes
- Insoluble, semi-solid, or solid particles which are combustible and are highly aromatic. Asphaltenes contain a high carbon to hydrogen ratio and entrap water, fuel ashes and other impurities.
- Asphaltic concrete
- (AC) A mixture of asphalt cement, graded aggregate, mineral filler, and additives.
- Asphalt overlay
-
- A new layer of asphalt is placed on the road, making it look brand new. First a layer of liquid asphalt or tack coat is sprayed on the road. Next, fabric may be placed on any badly broken areas for added strength. Finally hot asphaltic concrete is applied, raked and rolled to a prescribed density. Work moves quickly and you can drive on the new asphalt as soon as the rolling is complete. The work must be done when the ground is dry and reasonably warm.
- Asphalt concrete placed on the roadway with a paver. Overlays can be anywhere from 25mm to 15cm thick. Thick overlays are typically placed in two to three layers. The work will take anywhere from a day or two, up to a week or two depending on the thickness and the distance to be covered.
- ASR
-
- Acronym for Anti-spin regulation. A Bosch term for traction control
- Acronym for Acceleration Slip Regulation
- Assembly
-
- The finished union of a number of parts to make a component.
- Construction of product from several or many components. Methods used for attachment include welding, fastening, push-fit, snap-fit, lock-fit, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, etc. Many products are now designed for robotic assembly.
Also see- Bearing Assembly
- Body Assembly
- Brake Assembly
- Calibration Assembly
- Canonical Assembly
- Cast spoke assembly
- Electrode Assembly
- Foundation Brake Assembly
- Magnetic Pick-up Assembly
- Membrane Electrode Assembly
- Parking Brake Warning Switch Assembly
- Pick-up Assembly
- Spoke Assembly
- Thermactor Air Control Solenoid Vacuum Valve Assembly
- Valve And Transducer Assembly
- Valve Assembly
- Wheel Assembly
- Wheel Friction Assemblies
- Assembly Area
-
- A location in warehouse where products and loads are collected and combined.
- A location in a shop where a product is removed from its packing and bolted together
- Assembly line
- The production line where a vehicle is put together from its component parts. Often one team will work on just the engine of each vehicle while another team works on another part, etc.
- Assembly lube
- A special lubricant used to coat parts that rub or rotate against each other during initial assembly.
- Assessed reliability
- The probability that a device will function without failure over a specified time period or amount of usage.
- Associated-dissolved natural gas
- Natural gas that occurs in crude oil reservoirs either as free gas (associated) or as gas in solution with crude oil (dissolved gas).
- Association of South East Asian Nations
- (ASEAN) An organization of states (including Brunei, Myanmar (Burma), Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) founded in 1967 to present an united front that addresses the political, economic, and strategic dynamics of the region.
- Assy
- Abbreviation for Assembly.
- ASTM
- Acronym for American Society for Testing Materials.
- Aston-Martin
-
A vehicle brand of which all 1927-39 models with appropriate application are classic cars.
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Aston-Martin
- Aston Martin
- A vehicle brand of which the 1948-63 models are milestone cars. All the DB4, DB5, DB6 from 1964-67 are milestone cars.
- Astro
-
A model of mid-size van produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors from 1985 to 2005
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Astro
- Asymmetrical
- A pattern in which one side does not correspond to the other side. Also called dissymmetrical or non-symmetrical.
- Asymmetrical power distribution
- A system in a four-wheel vehicle in which more power is transmitted to the front wheels than the rear wheels or more to the rear wheels than the front wheels.
- Asymmetrical tread
-
The Tread of a tire which has different shapes/patterns and sizes of Grooves in the same tire. Often they are divided into three distinct patterns The outside shoulder, the center zone, and the inside shoulder. The outside shoulder tread will have larger shoulder elements with very few Sipes to provide increased cornering Stability. The center tread zone enhances steering control. The inside shoulder tread zone provides additional Traction because the shape of the tread elements, Sipes and larger shoulder slots help disperse water and slush. Obviously these tires must be mounted only one way so that the outside pattern is actually on the outside of the wheel.
Asymmetrical tread
- Asymmetric rim
- A wheel rim where the well is located outside the centerline of the wheel. Opposite of Symmetric rim.