ontspanning
Dutch
ontspanning
Algemene technische term die een vermindering van spanning, druk of belasting aanduidt. De precieze betekenis is sterk contextafhankelijk en varieert per vakgebied (mechanica, thermodynamica, procesengineering, waterzuivering).
Veelvoorkomende contexten
- mechanische spanning (veren, materialen)
- druk in vloeistoffen of gassen
- thermodynamische processen
- vergrendeling / ontgrendeling
- spanningsreductie na belasting
English
Common translations (context-dependent)
- release
- relief
- relaxation
- pressure release
- pressure reduction
- pressure drop
- depressurisation / depressurization
Thermodynamics & fluids
-
expansion
(primarily when the subject itself is a gas or vapour) -
decompression
- pressure let-down
Mechanical / materials engineering
- stress relief
- strain relief
- relaxation
Process & wastewater engineering
- depressurisation
- pressure release
- pressure drop
Used especially where a liquid releases dissolved gas as a result of reduced pressure (e.g. dissolved air flotation processes).
Usage notes
The correct English rendering of ontspanning depends on what is relaxing or losing pressure:
- If the medium is a gas → expansion may be appropriate
- If the medium is a liquid under pressure → depressurisation, pressure release or pressure drop is preferred
- If the focus is on mechanical load → stress relief or relaxation
In technical and patent contexts, over-literal use of “expansion” should be avoided unless true volumetric gas expansion is intended.
Examples
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| ontspanning van een veer | release / relaxation of a spring |
| ontspanning van druk in een leiding | pressure release in a pipeline |
| ontspanning van water onder hoge druk | depressurisation of water |
| ontspanning van stoom | expansion of steam |
| ontspanning van spanning in metaal | stress relief in metal |
Related terms
- drukval → pressure drop
- drukverlaging → pressure reduction
- ontluchten → venting / degassing
- ontspannen (v.) → to relax / to release / to depressurise