Terms starting with K

The effective neutron multiplication factor: the ratio of neutrons in one generation to the previous one.

The lunisolar diurnal constituent, period about 23.93 hours, a main driver of once-daily tides.

Amber polyimide tape, named for a well-known brand, used to mask and protect board areas from heat. Shop talk

Chemical titration that measures water in oil down to about 10 parts per million.

Canadian slang for an overeager newcomer who volunteers for everything and tries a little too hard. Shop talk

Region of a board where copper, parts, vias or routing are forbidden by a design rule.

A long wave trapped against a coast by Earth's rotation, the form in which tides travel around ocean basins.

Adjusting by experience and feel rather than by the numbers, borrowed from riflemen aiming off for wind. Shop talk

The slot a torch, plasma arc, laser or saw leaves behind, and the width of metal it removes.

A rumbling, crackling or whistling noise from a hot water boiler, like a kettle about to boil. Shop talk

The last brick driven into an arch or ring to lock it tight, or a shape that tapers in width for turning circles.

The main light source illuminating a subject, setting the direction, exposure and character of the lighting.

Quick-release clamp flange with a centring ring and O-ring, the standard small fitting for rough and high vacuum.

Potassium iodide: stable iodine tablets taken to block the thyroid from absorbing radioactive iodine.

To gel or cure suddenly, as in a resin kicking in the cup or a CA kicking with accelerator. Shop talk

To start setting, usually sooner than the crew expected; a load that kicks stiffens fast. Shop talk

Shop verb for a breaker, overload or relay tripping, as in the breaker kicked. Shop talk

To start a Kerr-lens mode-locked laser by briefly disturbing the cavity so a pulse can form. Shop talk

To shove a cut of cars, uncouple it on the move and let it roll free onto a track. Shop talk

Single shallow bend that angles conduit off its line, for example to bring it out from a wall into equipment. Shop talk

A car whose brake valve throws the whole train into emergency when only a normal service application was made. Shop talk

Off-line filtration circuit that continuously pumps reservoir oil through a filter and back. Shop talk

Defect that lands where it causes a die to fail, as opposed to a harmless cosmetic or nuisance defect. Shop talk

An adjustable optic holder that uses three-point contact and fine screws to set tip and tilt repeatably.

Informal name for the highest tides of the year, usually perigean spring tides. Shop talk

A sudden bend or step in a laser diode's power-versus-current curve, usually a sign of mode switching.

To touch a tool or grinder to a surface as lightly as possible, removing almost nothing. Shop talk

A bond where adhesive and part are in full contact but have little or no real adhesion.

Lineman's side-cutting pliers, named after the brand most electricians carry. Shop talk

Flat boards finishers kneel on to spread their weight while working a fresh slab by hand. Shop talk

Sharp circular ridge machined into a CF flange face that cuts into the copper gasket to make the seal.

A gate valve with a thin, sharp-edged blade that cuts through slurry, pulp or solids as it closes.

Any adjustable process parameter on a tool, such as RF power, pressure, gas flow, temperature or time. Shop talk

Punch and die set that shears clean round holes in boxes and panels for conduit fittings.

The hinged, hook-shaped part of a railcar coupler that closes and locks to join two cars.

Ratio of the mean free path to a characteristic size such as pipe diameter, used to name the flow regime.

Knockout: a partly punched disc in a box or panel that is removed to make a hole for a conduit or cable fitting. Shop talk

Two-flux light model linking a sheet's reflectance and opacity to its scattering and absorption coefficients.

Kilovolts, the voltage setting on a corona gun that governs how hard it charges the powder.