fusselfrei

English translation: here: lint-repellent (or fluff-repellent)

11:10 Apr 22, 2008

German to English translations [PRO]
Tech/Engineering - Metallurgy / Casting / Wire

German term or phrase: fusselfrei

I'm translating a patent about lubricants for cold-forming metals. In a paragraph about wire-drawing, "gleichmäßige schöne fusselfreie metallische Oberflächen" are obtained.

"Fusselfrei" normally means 'lint-free', but since I can't see how there would be any lint here anyway, I suspect there's a better translation.

mgrange KudoZ activity Questions: 45 (none open) (2 closed without grading) Answers: 5 United Kingdom
Local time: 15:38

English translation:here: lint-repellent (or fluff-repellent)

Explanation:
I'd say the metal surfaces are probably so smooth, they are repellent and no fluff/lint sticks to them.

Selected response from:

Daniela Gieseler-Higgs

Grading comment

Thanks to everyone who took the trouble to answer.
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

2 +4

here: lint-repellent (or fluff-repellent)

Daniela Gieseler-Higgs

lint-free

Gary Dickson

3 +1

dust free

Susan Zimmer

metallic surfaces free of fluff

Stephen Gobin

fluff-free

Cristina Bufi Poecksteiner, M.A.

smooth

David Moore (X)

Answers

4 mins confidence:

metallic surfaces free of fluff

Explanation:
free of fluff

Stephen Gobin
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:38
Native speaker of:

English

3 mins confidence:

fluff-free

Explanation:
.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 mins (2008-04-22 11:16:58 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

fluff-free metallic surfaces

Cristina Bufi Poecksteiner, M.A.
Austria
Local time: 16:38
Native speaker of: Italian

8 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +4

here: lint-repellent (or fluff-repellent)

Explanation:
I'd say the metal surfaces are probably so smooth, they are repellent and no fluff/lint sticks to them.

Daniela Gieseler-Higgs
Native speaker of:

German
PRO pts in category: 3

Grading comment

Thanks to everyone who took the trouble to answer.

34 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

dust free

Explanation:
I somehow think the choice of words in the German text is a bit sloppy. I may be going out on a limb here, but I'd think what the text is trying to bring across is that there is no dust buildup on the metal surface. Lint is buildup on fabrics, don't you think?

Susan Zimmer
United States
Local time: 10:38
Native speaker of:

English

1 hr confidence:

smooth

Explanation:
I KNOW this looks a silly answer - but read the question again.... Where does it say anything about cloths? This is about wire-drawing, and I strongly suspect the writer has used the "patent language" licence here, and actually means in real language that the surface of the wire won't catch cloths in it. If this is the case, I can't think of any better idea than "smooth"...

David Moore (X)
Local time: 16:38
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 39

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thanks, David. I think you're right about the surface being smooth, but since German has a perfectly good word for smooth, and patent translations should be as literal as possible, I don't think I can use it here.

18 hrs confidence:

lint-free

Explanation:
Because I've used american and german fabric softener before, and thats what it usually says on the box.

Gary Dickson
Local time: 10:38
Works in field
Native speaker of:

German

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fusselfrei

English translation: here: lint-repellent (or fluff-repellent)

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fusselfrei

English translation: here: lint-repellent (or fluff-repellent)

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