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Cadmium (Cd) -- element number 48 on the periodic table of the elements.
In the context of oil analysis cadmium can be present as a wear metal in various sampled components
and the origins can be from such sources as: journal bearings and plating just to name a few.
Calcium (Ca) -- element number 20 on the periodic table of the elements.
In the context of oil analysis calcium can be present as a contaminant in various sampled components
and the origins can be from such sources as: cement dust, grease thickeners, oil additives, and road dust
just to name a few.
Cams -- eccentric shafts used in most internal combustion engines to open and
close valves.
Capacity -- the amount of contaminants a filter will hold before an excessive
pressure drop is caused. Most filters have bypass valves which open when a filter
reaches its rated capacity.
Capillarity -- a property of a solid-liquid system manifested by the tendency
of the liquid in contact with the solid to rise above or fall below the level
of the surrounding liquid; this phenomenon is seen in a small bore (capillary)
tube.
Carbon -- a non-metallic element - No. 6 in the periodic table. Diamonds and
graphite are pure forms of carbon. Carbon is a constituent of all organic compounds.
It also occurs in combined form in many inorganic substances; i.e., carbon dioxide,
limestone, etc.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) -- A colourless, odorless gas produced by
complete combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel-air mixture.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) -- A colourless, odorless, poisonous gas formed by the incomplete combustion of any carbonaceous material (i.e wood, coal, gasoline).
Carbon residue -- coked material remaining after an oil has been exposed to
high temperatures under controlled conditions.
Carbonyl iron powder -- a contaminant which consists of up to 99.5% pure iron
spheres.
Case drain filter -- a filter located in a line conducting fluid from a pump
or motor housing to reservoir.
Catalyst -- a substance which speeds a chemical action without undergoing a
chemical change itself during the process. In terms of lubricating oils water and metals (ie. copper and
iron) act as a catalyst to significantly increase the rate of oxidation.
Catalytic converter -- an integral part of vehicle emission control systems
since 1975. Oxidizing converters remove hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide (CO)
from exhaust gases, while reducing converters control nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.
Both use noble metal (platinum, palladium or rhodium) catalysts that can be
"poisoned" by lead compounds in the fuel or lubricant.
Catastrophic failure -- sudden, unexpected failure of a machine resulting in
considerable cost and downtime.
Cavitation -- formation of an air or vapor pocket (or bubble) due to lowering
of pressure in a liquid, often as a result of a solid body, such as a propeller
or piston, moving through the liquid; also, the pitting or wearing away of a
solid surface as a result of the collapse of a vapor bubble. Cavitation can
occur in a hydraulic system as a result of low fluid levels that draw air into
the system, producing tiny bubbles that expand explosively at the pump outlet,
causing metal erosion and eventual pump destruction.
Cavitation erosion -- a material-damaging process which occurs as a result
of vaporous cavitation. "Cavitation" refers to the occurrence or formation
of gas- or vapor- filled pockets in flowing liquids due to the hydrodynamic
generation of low pressure (below atmospheric pressure). This damage results
from the hammering action when cavitation bubbles implode in the flow stream.
Ultra-high pressures caused by the collapse of the vapor bubbles produce deformation,
material failure and, finally, erosion of the surfaces.
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