mill scale

American  

noun

1. scale.

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Etymology

Origin of mill scale

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

“Mill scale,” the flakes of steel produced as steel oxidizes, is sold to concrete makers as a strengthening agent.

From Seattle Times

They are cleaned by tumbling and then packed in iron boxes with alternating layers of rolling mill scale.

From Project Gutenberg

The effect of stimulative under-coatings is well shown on some special plates on the fence, which when received were not pickled before painting, but had upon their surfaces the ordinary coating of mill scale.

From Project Gutenberg

Before starting out, Garry climbed to the attic of the Everett house, and getting the range with his glasses, computed the distance by means of the Mill scale on the glasses.

From Project Gutenberg

When the plates are put together in ordinary course of manufacture, a portion of the mill scale is left on, and this is reduced to powder or shaken loose in the course of riveting and left between the plates, thus offering a tempting opening for the steam to work through, and is really cause of the heavy calking that puts so unnecessary a pressure on both plate and rivet.

From Project Gutenberg