flux
a flowing or flow.
the flowing in of the tide.
continuous change, passage, or movement: His political views are in a state of flux.
Physics.
the rate of flow of fluid, particles, or energy.
a quantity expressing the strength of a field of force in a given area.
Chemistry, Metallurgy.
a substance used to refine metals by combining with impurities to form a molten mixture that can be readily removed.
a substance used to remove oxides from and prevent further oxidation of fused metal, as in soldering or hot-dip coating.
(in the refining of scrap or other metal) a salt or mixture of salts that combines with nonmetallic impurities, causing them to float or coagulate.
to melt; make fluid.
to fuse by the use of flux.
Obsolete. to purge.
to flow.
Origin of flux
1Other words for flux
Other words from flux
- non·flux, noun
- su·per·flux, noun
- trans·flux, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use flux in a sentence
This substance is capable of being readily vitrified by the addition of alkaline fluxes, and is thus converted into glass.
Summary Narrative of an Exploratory Expedition to the Sources of the Mississippi River, in 1820 | Henry Rowe SchoolcraftThere is also a sort of tide or tidal fluxes, called seiches.
The Spell of Switzerland | Nathan Haskell DoleMost of the detachment sick with fluxes and fevers, or wounded in the feet.
The History of Sumatra | William MarsdenSufficient powder will stick on the end of the rod for all purposes, and with some fluxes too much will adhere.
Oxy-Acetylene Welding and Cutting | Harold P. ManlyTartar and "black flux," are reducing agents as well as fluxes.
A Textbook of Assaying: For the Use of Those Connected with Mines. | Cornelius Beringer and John Jacob Beringer
British Dictionary definitions for flux
/ (flʌks) /
a flow or discharge
continuous change; instability
a substance, such as borax or salt, that gives a low melting-point mixture with a metal oxide. It is used for cleaning metal surfaces during soldering, etc, and for protecting the surfaces of liquid metals
metallurgy a chemical used to increase the fluidity of refining slags in order to promote the rate of chemical reaction
a similar substance used in the making of glass
physics
the rate of flow of particles, energy, or a fluid, through a specified area, such as that of neutrons (neutron flux) or of light energy (luminous flux)
the strength of a field in a given area expressed as the product of the area and the component of the field strength at right angles to the area: magnetic flux; electric flux
pathol an excessive discharge of fluid from the body, such as watery faeces in diarrhoea
the act or process of melting; fusion
(in the philosophy of Heraclitus) the state of constant change in which all things exist
to make or become fluid
(tr) to apply flux to (a metal, soldered joint, etc)
(tr) an obsolete word for purge
Origin of flux
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for flux
[ flŭks ]
The rate of flow of fluids, particles, or energy across a given surface or area.
The presence of a field of force in a region of space, represented as a set of lines indicating the direction of the force. The density of the lines indicates the strength of the force. Lines used to represent magnetic fields in depictions of magnets, for example, follow the lines of flux of the field. See also field magnetic flux.
A measure of the strength of such a field.
A readily fusible glass or enamel used as a base in ceramic work.
An additive that improves the flow of plastics during fabrication.
A substance applied to a surface to be joined by welding, soldering, or brazing to facilitate the flowing of solder and prevent formation of oxides.
A substance used in a smelting furnace to make metals melt more easily.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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