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Tempering (metallurgy)

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401 °F), will produce a slight reduction in hardness, but will primarily relieve much of the internal stresses. In some steels with low alloy content, tempering in the range of 260 and 340 °C (500 and 644 °F) causes a decrease in ductility and an increase in brittleness, and is referred to as the "tempered martensite embrittlement" (TME) range. Except in the case of blacksmithing, this range is usually avoided. Steel requiring more strength than toughness, such as tools, are usually not tempered above 205 °C (401 °F). Instead, a variation in hardness is usually produced by varying only the tempering time. When increased toughness is desired at the expense of strength, higher tempering temperatures, from 370 to 540 °C (698 to 1,004 °F), are used. Tempering at even higher temperatures, between 540 and 600 °C (1,004 and 1,112 °F), will produce excellent toughness, but at a serious reduction in strength and hardness. At 600 °C (1,112 °F), the steel may experience another stage of embrittlement, called "temper embrittlement" (TE), which occurs if the steel is held within the temperature range of temper embrittlement for too long. When heating above this temperature, the steel will usually not be held for any amount of time, and quickly cooled to avoid temper embrittlement.
483:, using methods such as immersing the hot steel in water, oil, or forced-air. The quenched steel, being placed in or very near its hardest possible state, is then tempered to incrementally decrease the hardness to a point more suitable for the desired application. The hardness of the quenched steel depends on both cooling speed and on the composition of the alloy. Steel with a high carbon content will reach a much harder state than steel with a low carbon content. Likewise, tempering high-carbon steel to a certain temperature will produce steel that is considerably harder than low-carbon steel that is tempered at the same temperature. The amount of time held at the tempering temperature also has an effect. Tempering at a slightly elevated temperature for a shorter time may produce the same effect as tempering at a lower temperature for a longer time. Tempering times vary, depending on the carbon content, size, and desired application of the steel, but typically range from a few minutes to a few hours. 952:
tempering carbon steel. This allows the steel to maintain its hardness in high-temperature or high-friction applications. However, this also requires very high temperatures during tempering, to achieve a reduction in hardness. If the steel contains large amounts of these elements, tempering may produce an increase in hardness until a specific temperature is reached, at which point the hardness will begin to decrease. For instance, molybdenum steels will typically reach their highest hardness around 315 °C (599 °F) whereas vanadium steels will harden fully when tempered to around 371 °C (700 °F). When very large amounts of solutes are added, alloy steels may behave like precipitation-hardening alloys, which do not soften at all during tempering.
596:, or by fire, so holding the work at exactly the right temperature for the correct amount of time was usually not possible. Tempering was usually performed by slowly, evenly overheating the metal, as judged by the color, and then immediately cooling, either in open air or by immersing it in water. This produced much the same effect as heating at the proper temperature for the right amount of time, and avoided embrittlement by tempering within a short time period. However, although tempering-color guides exist, this method of tempering usually requires a good amount of practice to perfect, because the final outcome depends on many factors, including the composition of the steel, the speed at which it was heated, the type of heat source ( 508:
the steel, thereby increasing the toughness to a more desirable point. Cast steel is often normalized rather than annealed, to decrease the amount of distortion that can occur. Tempering can further decrease the hardness, increasing the ductility to a point more like annealed steel. Tempering is often used on carbon steels, producing much the same results. The process, called "normalize and temper", is used frequently on steels such as 1045 carbon steel, or most other steels containing 0.35 to 0.55% carbon. These steels are usually tempered after normalizing, to increase the toughness and relieve internal stresses. This can make the metal more suitable for its intended use and easier to
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for austempering; to just above the martensite start temperature. The metal is then held at this temperature until the temperature of the steel reaches an equilibrium. The steel is then removed from the bath before any bainite can form, and then is allowed to air-cool, turning it into martensite. The interruption in cooling allows much of the internal stresses to relax before the martensite forms, decreasing the brittleness of the steel. However, the martempered steel will usually need to undergo further tempering to adjust the hardness and toughness, except in rare cases where maximum hardness is needed but the accompanying brittleness is not. Modern
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and higher. In the third stage, ε-carbon precipitates into cementite, and the carbon content in the martensite decreases. If tempered at higher temperatures, between 650 °C (1,202 °F) and 700 °C (1,292 °F), or for longer amounts of time, the martensite may become fully ferritic and the cementite may become coarser or more spherical. In spheroidized steel, the cementite network breaks apart and recedes into rods or spherical-shaped globules, and the steel becomes softer than annealed steel; nearly as soft as pure iron, making it very easy to
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the tempering colors form and slowly creep toward the edge. The heat is then removed before the light-straw color reaches the edge. The colors will continue to move toward the edge for a short time after the heat is removed, so the smith typically removes the heat a little early, so that the pale yellow just reaches the edge, and travels no farther. A similar method is used for double-edged blades, but the heat source is applied to the center of the blade, allowing the colors to creep out toward each edge.
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below 350 °C, and is stronger but much more brittle. In either case, austempering produces greater strength and toughness for a given hardness, which is determined mostly by composition rather than cooling speed, and reduced internal stresses which could lead to breakage. This produces steel with superior impact resistance. Modern punches and chisels are often austempered. Because austempering does not produce martensite, the steel does not require further tempering.
238:, dating from around 1200 to 1100 BC. The process was used throughout the ancient world, from Asia to Europe and Africa. Many different methods and cooling baths for quenching have been attempted during ancient times, from quenching in urine, blood, or metals like mercury or lead, but the process of tempering has remained relatively unchanged over the ages. Tempering was often confused with quenching and, often, the term was used to describe both techniques. In 1889, Sir 444:, to achieve any number of a combination of properties, making the steel useful for a wide variety of applications. Tools such as hammers and wrenches require good resistance to abrasion, impact resistance, and resistance to deformation. Springs do not require as much wear resistance, but must deform elastically without breaking. Automotive parts tend to be a little less strong, but need to deform plastically before breaking. 634:, which produces colors on the surface. As the thickness of this layer increases with temperature, it causes the colors to change from a very light yellow, to brown, to purple, and then to blue. These colors appear at very precise temperatures and provide the blacksmith with a very accurate gauge for measuring the temperature. The various colors, their corresponding temperatures, and some of their uses are: 604:), the cooling rate, oil films or impurities on the surface, and many other circumstances which vary from smith to smith or even from job to job. The thickness of the steel also plays a role. With thicker items, it becomes easier to heat only the surface to the right temperature, before the heat can penetrate through. However, very thick items may not be able to harden all the way through during quenching. 255:, one may encounter many terms that have very specific meanings within the field, but may seem rather vague when viewed from the outside. Terms such as "hardness," "impact resistance," "toughness," and "strength" can carry many different connotations, making it sometimes difficult to discern the specific meaning. Some of the terms encountered, and their specific definitions are: 829:," between the crystals, providing less-stressful areas for the carbon atoms to relocate. Upon heating, the carbon atoms first migrate to these defects and then begin forming unstable carbides. This reduces the amount of total martensite by changing some of it to ferrite. Further heating reduces the martensite even more, transforming the unstable carbides into stable cementite. 758: 870:, may increase the embrittlement, or alter the temperature at which it occurs. This type of embrittlement is permanent, and can only be relieved by heating above the upper critical temperature and then quenching again. However, these microstructures usually require an hour or more to form, so are usually not a problem in the blacksmith method of tempering. 83: 993:
hours. The heating is followed by a slow cooling rate of around 10 °C (18 °F) per hour. The entire process may last 160 hours or more. This causes the cementite to decompose from the ledeburite, and then the carbon burns out through the surface of the metal, increasing the malleability of the cast iron.
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Most alloying elements (solutes) have the benefit of not only increasing hardness, but also lowering both the martensite start temperature and the temperature at which austenite transforms into ferrite and cementite. During quenching, this allows a slower cooling rate, which allows items with thicker
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Depending on the holding temperature, austempering can produce either upper or lower bainite. Upper bainite is a laminate structure formed at temperatures typically above 350 °C (662 °F) and is a much tougher microstructure. Lower bainite is a needle-like structure, produced at temperatures
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Differential tempering consists of applying heat to only a portion of the blade, usually the spine, or the center of double-edged blades. For single-edged blades, the heat, often in the form of a flame or a red-hot bar, is applied to the spine of the blade only. The blade is then carefully watched as
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Martempering is similar to austempering, in that the steel is quenched in a bath of molten metal or salts to quickly cool it past the pearlite-forming range. However, in martempering, the goal is to create martensite rather than bainite. The steel is quenched to a much lower temperature than is used
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grains, mixed together within the microstructure. This produces steel that is much stronger than full-annealed steel, and much tougher than tempered quenched steel. However, added toughness is sometimes needed at a reduction in strength. Tempering provides a way to carefully decrease the hardness of
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Precise control of time and temperature during the tempering process is crucial to achieve the desired balance of physical properties. Low tempering temperatures may only relieve the internal stresses, decreasing brittleness while maintaining a majority of the hardness. Higher tempering temperatures
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will remain dissolved in the ferrite during tempering while the carbon precipitates. When quenched, these solutes will usually produce an increase in hardness over plain carbon steel of the same carbon content. When hardened alloy-steels, containing moderate amounts of these elements, are tempered,
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C). In the second stage, occurring between 150 °C (302 °F) and 300 °C (572 °F), the retained austenite transforms into a form of lower-bainite containing ε-carbon rather than cementite (archaically referred to as "troostite"). The third stage occurs at 200 °C (392 °F)
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For carbon steel, beyond the grey-blue color the iron oxide loses its transparency, and the temperature can no longer be judged in this way, although other alloys like stainless steel may produce a much broader range including golds, teals, and magentas. The layer will also increase in thickness as
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or by a quench and self-temper (QST) process. After the bar exits the final rolling pass, where the final shape of the bar is applied, the bar is then sprayed with water which quenches the outer surface of the bar. The bar speed and the amount of water are carefully controlled in order to leave the
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environment, so that the decomposing carbon does not burn off. Instead, the decomposing carbon turns into a type of graphite called "temper graphite" or "flaky graphite," increasing the malleability of the metal. Tempering is usually performed at temperatures as high as 950 °C (1,740 °F)
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increase the effect dramatically. This generally occurs because the impurities are able to migrate to the grain boundaries, creating weak spots in the structure. The embrittlement can often be avoided by quickly cooling the metal after tempering. Two-step embrittlement, however, is reversible. The
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Malleable (porous) cast iron is manufactured by white tempering. White tempering is used to burn off excess carbon, by heating it for extended amounts of time in an oxidizing environment. The cast iron will usually be held at temperatures as high as 1,000 °C (1,830 °F) for as long as 60
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Pieces of through-tempered steel flatbar. The first one, on the left, is normalized steel. The second is quenched, untempered martensite. The remaining pieces have been tempered in an oven to their corresponding temperature, for an hour each. "Tempering standards" like these are sometimes used by
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to be useful for most applications. Tempering is a method used to decrease the hardness, thereby increasing the ductility of the quenched steel, to impart some springiness and malleability to the metal. This allows the metal to bend before breaking. Depending on how much temper is imparted to the
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Although most precipitation-hardening alloys will harden at room temperature, some will only harden at elevated temperatures and, in others, the process can be sped up by aging at elevated temperatures. Aging at temperatures higher than room-temperature is called "artificial aging". Although the
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bainite-forming range. The steel is then held at the bainite-forming temperature, beyond the point where the temperature reaches an equilibrium, until the bainite fully forms. The steel is then removed from the bath and allowed to air-cool, without the formation of either pearlite or martensite.
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temperature) to both reduce the internal stresses and to decrease the brittleness around the weld. Localized tempering is often used on welds when the construction is too large, intricate, or otherwise too inconvenient to heat the entire object evenly. Tempering temperatures for this purpose are
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Tempering involves a three-step process in which unstable martensite decomposes into ferrite and unstable carbides, and finally into stable cementite, forming various stages of a microstructure called tempered martensite. The martensite typically consists of laths (strips) or plates, sometimes
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steels and cast irons, to increase ductility, machinability, and impact strength. Steel is usually tempered evenly, called "through tempering," producing a nearly uniform hardness, but it is sometimes heated unevenly, referred to as "differential tempering," producing a variation in hardness.
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However, during tempering, elements like chromium, vanadium, and molybdenum precipitate with the carbon. If the steel contains fairly low concentrations of these elements, the softening of the steel can be retarded until much higher temperatures are reached, when compared to those needed for
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Tempering quenched steel at very low temperatures, between 66 and 148 °C (151 and 298 °F), will usually not have much effect other than a slight relief of some of the internal stresses and a decrease in brittleness. Tempering at higher temperatures, from 148 to 205 °C (298 to
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Embrittlement occurs during tempering when, through a specific temperature range, the steel experiences an increase in hardness and a reduction in ductility, as opposed to the normal decrease in hardness that occurs on either side of this range. The first type is called tempered martensite
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and martensite. In normalizing, both upper and lower bainite are usually found mixed with pearlite. To avoid the formation of pearlite or martensite, the steel is quenched in a bath of molten metals or salts. This quickly cools the steel past the point where pearlite can form and into the
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time passes, which is another reason overheating and immediate cooling is used. Steel in a tempering oven, held at 205 °C (401 °F) for a long time, will begin to turn brown, purple, or blue, even though the temperature did not exceed that needed to produce a light-straw color.
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Two-step embrittlement typically occurs by aging the metal within a critical temperature range, or by slowly cooling it through that range, For carbon steel, this is typically between 370 °C (698 °F) and 560 °C (1,040 °F), although impurities like phosphorus and
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appearing acicular (needle-like) or lenticular (lens-shaped). Depending on the carbon content, it also contains a certain amount of "retained austenite." Retained austenite are crystals that are unable to transform into martensite, even after quenching below the martensite finish (M
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wrote, "There is still so much confusion between the words "temper," "tempering," and "hardening," in the writings of even eminent authorities, that it is well to keep these old definitions carefully in mind. I shall employ the word tempering in the same sense as softening."
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for a certain period of time, then allowing it to cool in still air. The exact temperature determines the amount of hardness removed, and depends on both the specific composition of the alloy and on the desired properties in the finished product. For instance, very hard
714:, to provide a very hard edge while softening the spine or center of the blade. This increased the toughness while maintaining a very hard, sharp, impact-resistant edge, helping to prevent breakage. This technique was more often found in Europe, as opposed to the 857:
One-step embrittlement usually occurs in carbon steel at temperatures between 230 °C (446 °F) and 290 °C (554 °F), and was historically referred to as "500 degree embrittlement." This embrittlement occurs due to the precipitation of
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can cause the steel to retain its hardness, even at red-hot temperatures, forming high-speed steels. Often, small amounts of many different elements are added to the steel to give the desired properties, rather than just adding one or two.
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Interrupted quenching methods are often referred to as tempering, although the processes are very different from traditional tempering. These methods consist of quenching to a specific temperature that is above the martensite start
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Cast iron comes in many types, depending on the carbon content. However, they are usually divided into grey and white cast iron, depending on the form that the carbides take. In grey cast iron, the carbon is mainly in the form of
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Because few methods of precisely measuring temperature existed until modern times, the temperature was usually judged by watching the tempering colors of the metal. Tempering often consisted of heating above a charcoal or coal
312:– Brittleness describes a material's tendency to break before bending or deforming either elastically or plastically. Brittleness increases with decreased toughness, but is greatly affected by internal stresses as well. 629:
will also increase. Although iron oxide is not normally transparent, such thin layers do allow light to pass through, reflecting off both the upper and lower surfaces of the layer. This causes a phenomenon called
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Differentially tempered steel. The various colors produced indicate the temperature the steel was heated to. Light straw indicates 204 °C (399 °F) and light blue indicates 337 °C (639 °F).
198:, tempering at low temperatures may produce an increase in hardness, while at higher temperatures the hardness will decrease. Many steels with high concentrations of these alloying elements behave like 825:, in which the transformation occurs due to shear stresses created in the crystal lattices rather than by chemical changes that occur during precipitation. The shear stresses create many defects, or " 1040:
are also precipitation-hardening alloys. These alloys become softer than normal when quenched and then harden over time. For this reason, precipitation hardening is often referred to as "aging."
332:– Also called flexibility, this is the ability to deform, bend, compress, or stretch and return to the original shape once the external stress is removed. Elasticity is inversely related to the 1052:
alloy) the desired results, (i.e.: strengthening rather than softening), and the amount of time held at a certain temperature is very different from tempering as used in carbon-steel.
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Precipitation-hardening alloys first came into use during the early 1900s. Most heat-treatable alloys fall into the category of precipitation-hardening alloys, including alloys of
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from the uneven heating, solidification, and cooling creates internal stresses in the metal, both within and surrounding the weld. Tempering is sometimes used in place of
536:(HAZ), consists of steel that varies considerably in hardness, from normalized steel to steel nearly as hard as quenched steel near the edge of this heat-affected zone. 1444: 566:
core of the bar unquenched. The hot core then tempers the already quenched outer part, leaving a bar with high strength but with a certain degree of ductility too.
588:(modern-day Turkey), in the twelfth or eleventh century BC. Without knowledge of metallurgy, tempering was originally devised through a trial-and-error method. 1044:
method is similar to tempering, the term "tempering" is usually not used to describe artificial aging, because the physical processes, (i.e.: precipitation of
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for up to 20 hours. The tempering is followed by slow cooling through the lower critical temperature, over a period that may last from 50 to over 100 hours.
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Steel that has been heated above its upper critical temperature and then cooled in standing air is called normalized steel. Normalized steel consists of
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of the metal to put it in its hardest state. Tempering is accomplished by controlled heating of the quenched workpiece to a temperature below its "lower
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The first stage of tempering occurs between room temperature and 200 °C (392 °F). In the first stage, carbon precipitates into ε-carbon (Fe
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to form, or holds off forming the martensite until much of the internal stresses relax. These methods are known as austempering and martempering.
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Ductile (non-porous) cast iron (often called "black iron") is produced by black tempering. Unlike white tempering, black tempering is done in an
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formed when steel is quenched. Tempering reduces the hardness in the martensite by transforming it into various forms of tempered martensite.
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Differential tempering is a method of providing different amounts of temper to different parts of the steel. The method is often used in
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A differentially tempered sword. The center is tempered to a springy hardness while the edges are tempered slightly harder than a hammer.
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Steels: Microstructure and Properties: Microstructure and Properties By Harry Bhadeshia, Robert Honeycombe -- Elsevier 2006Page 191--207
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Tempering methods for alloy steels may vary considerably, depending on the type and amount of elements added. In general, elements like
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Tempering was originally a process used and developed by blacksmiths (forgers of iron). The process was most likely developed by the
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embrittlement (TME) or one-step embrittlement. The second is referred to as temper embrittlement (TE) or two-step embrittlement.
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does, and carbon-steel heat-treating behavior can vary radically depending on alloying elements. Steel can be softened to a very
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cross-sections to be hardened to greater depths than is possible in plain carbon steel, producing more uniformity in strength.
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Many elements are often alloyed with steel. The main purpose for alloying most elements with steel is to increase its
342:– Usually synonymous with high-strength toughness, it is the ability to resist shock-loading with minimal deformation. 202:, which produces the opposite effects under the conditions found in quenching and tempering, and are referred to as 1962: 879:
embrittlement can be eliminated by heating the steel above 600 °C (1,112 °F) and then quickly cooling.
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Except in rare cases where maximum hardness or wear resistance is needed, such as the untempered steel used for
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By George Adam Roberts, George Krauss, Richard Kennedy, Richard L. Kennedy - ASM International 1998 Page 2
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mixed with pearlite. Ledeburite is very hard, making cast iron very brittle. If the white cast iron has a
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in the martensite, forming a microstructure called "tempered martensite". Tempering is also performed on
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By Malcolm Blair, Thomas L. Stevens - Steel Founders' Society of America and ASM International Page 24-9
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Tempering is an ancient heat-treating technique. The oldest known example of tempered martensite is a
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By Sir William Chandler Roberts-Austen, Sydney W. Smith - Charles Griffin & Co. 1914 Page 155-156
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Time-temperature transformation (TTT) diagram. The red line shows the cooling curve for austempering.
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layer on its surface when heated. As the temperature of the steel is increased, the thickness of the
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Austempering is a technique used to form pure bainite, a transitional microstructure found between
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Manufacturing Processes Reference Guide by Robert H. Todd, Dell K. Allen, and Leo Alting pg. 410
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Phase Transformations in Steels, Volume 1: Fundamentals and Diffusion-Controlled Transformations
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and tearing. Strength, in metallurgy, is still a rather vague term, so is usually divided into
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and to decrease softening under temperature. Tool steels, for example, may have elements like
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Tempering is most often performed on steel that has been heated above its upper critical (A
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than martensite or pearlite, lowering the wear resistance and increasing the chances of
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Very few metals react to heat treatment in the same manner, or to the same extent, that
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blacksmiths for comparison, ensuring that the work is tempered to the proper color.
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added to increase both toughness and strength, which is necessary for things like
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Light-straw – 205 °C (401 °F) – rock drills, reamers, metal-cutting saws
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Purple – 282 °C (540 °F) – surgical tools, punches, stone carving tools
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Brown – 260 °C (500 °F) – taps, dies, drill bits, hammers, cold chisels
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of the alloy. The reduction in hardness is usually accompanied by an increase in
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heat sources may also affect the final result. The iron oxide layer, unlike
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Process of heat treating used to increase the toughness of iron-based alloys
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by Elena Pereloma, David V Edmonds -- Woodhead Publishing 2012 Page 20--39
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generally around 205 °C (401 °F) and 343 °C (649 °F).
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steel, to relieve some of the stresses and excess hardness created in the
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By Romesh C. Sharma - New Age International (P) Limited 2003 Page 101-110
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the alloy will usually soften somewhat proportionately to carbon steel.
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If steel has been freshly ground, sanded, or polished, it will form an
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tend to produce a greater reduction in the hardness, sacrificing some
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By Jon L. Dossett, Howard E. Boyer - ASM International 2006 Page 112
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New Edge of the Anvil: a resource book for the blacksmith. pp. 98–99
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Faint-yellow – 176 °C (349 °F) – gravers, razors, scrapers
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Grey-blue – 371 °C (700 °F) and higher – structural steel
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Light blue – 337 °C (639 °F) – springs, wood-cutting saws
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Dark-straw – 226 °C (439 °F) – scribers, planer blades
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and tensile strength, which eases the measurement of the latter.
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White cast iron is composed mostly of a microstructure called
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Dark blue – 310 °C (590 °F) – screwdrivers, wrenches
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is a process of heat treating, which is used to increase the
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by Leonard Ernest Samuels ASM International 1999 Page 20--25
1485: 915:
need to retain their hardness at high temperatures. Adding
673: 479:) temperature and then quickly cooled, in a process called 46: 1304:
By Flake C. Campbell - ASM International 2008 Page 195-196
348:– Usually synonymous with hardness, this is resistance to 1130:
By John D. Verhoeven - ASM International 2007 Page 99-105
142:) temperature: the temperature at which the crystalline 1375:"Hardenable Alloy Steels :: Total Materia Article" 270:(strength beyond which deformation becomes permanent), 1394:
By George E. Totten -- CRC Press 2007 Page 6, 200--203
1364:
By Flake C. Campbell - ASM International 2008 Page 197
1422:
By Miklós Tisza - ASM International 2002 Page 348-350
1263:
By Percy W. Blandford - TAB Books 1988 Page 3, 74–75
1415: 1413: 1411: 561:
of 500 MPa strength can be made from expensive
126:
of the metal. Tempering is usually performed after
1176:Pavlina, E. J.; Tyne, C. J. Van (1 December 2008). 1123: 1121: 1119: 1117: 1115: 1097:
By Thomas B. Brill - Plenum Publishing 1980 Page 55
278:(resistance to transverse, or cutting forces), and 1316:By George E. Totten -- Marcel Dekker 1997 Page 659 1450:Webpage showing heating glow and tempering colors 1408: 1392:Steel Heat Treatment: Metallurgy and Technologies 1297: 1295: 1293: 1275:By Percy W. Blandford - TAB Books 1988 Page 74-75 1009: 676:, also protects the steel from corrosion through 1995: 1287:By Ed Fowler - Krause Publications 2003 Page 114 1182:Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance 1112: 282:(resistance to elastic shortening under a load). 213:, tempering alters the size and distribution of 1095:Light, its interaction with art and antiquities 374:, and producing a minimal amount of flexing or 1290: 70:are often tempered at low temperatures, while 1484: 1470: 1362:Elements of metallurgy and engineering alloys 1302:Elements of metallurgy and engineering alloys 1445:A thorough discussion of tempering processes 1175: 718:techniques more common in Asia, such as in 86:Photomicrograph of martensite, a very hard 1477: 1463: 74:are tempered at much higher temperatures. 1285:Knife Talk II: The High Performance Blade 1251:By Todd Bridigum - Motorbook 2008 Page 37 1201: 1142:By Michael 'Tinker' Pearce - 2007 Page 39 1128:Steel metallurgy for the non-metallurgist 683: 552: 154:, begin combining to form a single-phase 1273:Practical Blacksmithing and Metalworking 1261:Practical Blacksmithing and Metalworking 756: 729: 693: 611: 528:, or welded in any other manner besides 81: 29: 53:. Tempering is usually performed after 14: 1996: 1140:The Medieval Sword in the Modern World 1458: 1350:Principles of Heat Treatment of Steel 796: 607: 490: 24: 1428: 996: 987: 25: 2015: 1438: 1420:Physical metallurgy for engineers 1338:Light Microscopy of Carbon Steels 470: 274:(the ultimate tearing strength), 190:, containing other elements like 1632: 848: 569: 459:. Tempering may also be used on 1397: 1385: 1367: 1355: 1343: 1331: 1319: 1307: 1278: 1266: 1254: 1242: 882: 860:Widmanstatten needles or plates 777: 746: 515: 386: 240:William Chandler Roberts-Austen 77: 57:, to reduce some of the excess 1230: 1218: 1169: 1157: 1145: 1133: 1100: 1088: 1010:Precipitation hardening alloys 821:The martensite forms during a 246: 200:precipitation hardening alloys 13: 1: 1502:History of ferrous metallurgy 1314:Steel Heat Treatment Handbook 1082: 816:cold and cryogenic treatments 98:technique applied to ferrous 1745:Argon oxygen decarburization 955: 823:diffusionless transformation 7: 1906:Differential heat treatment 1072:Precipitation strengthening 1055: 10: 2020: 1013: 866:, or alloying agents like 781: 750: 687: 573: 262:– Resistance to permanent 225: 1943: 1881: 1858: 1830:Ferritic nitrocarburizing 1790: 1767: 1757: 1727: 1696: 1656: 1641: 1630: 1583: 1528: 1515: 1497: 1203:10.1007/s11665-008-9225-5 122:, thereby decreasing the 1921:Post weld heat treatment 982:hypoeutectic composition 1507:List of steel producers 1237:Practical heat treating 1225:Steel castings handbook 1016:Precipitation hardening 793:are often martempered. 378:, to provide a maximum 186:. However, in some low 1735:Electro-slag remelting 1106:Andrews, Jack (1994). 1062:Annealing (metallurgy) 762: 720:Japanese swordsmithing 716:differential hardening 699: 690:Differential tempering 684:Differential tempering 632:thin-film interference 618: 553:Quench and self-temper 91: 35: 2004:Metal heat treatments 1945:Production by country 907:. On the other hand, 808:stacking-fault energy 760: 730:Interrupted quenching 697: 615: 292:, as measured by the 146:of the alloy, called 110:, to achieve greater 85: 33: 1931:Superplastic forming 1850:Quench polish quench 1740:Vacuum arc remelting 1719:Basic oxygen process 1714:Electric arc furnace 818:prior to tempering. 520:Steel that has been 368:Structural integrity 304:indentation hardness 280:compressive strength 136:critical temperature 1886:Cryogenic treatment 1709:Open hearth furnace 1697:Primary (Post-1850) 1688:Cementation process 1575:Direct reduced iron 1379:www.keytometals.com 1194:2008JMEP...17..888P 538:Thermal contraction 412:steel, it may bend 234:which was found in 178:for an increase in 1657:Primary (Pre-1850) 797:Physical processes 763: 700: 619: 563:microalloyed steel 534:heat-affected zone 465:heat affected zone 409:fracture toughness 114:by decreasing the 92: 36: 1991: 1990: 1939: 1938: 1753: 1752: 1628: 1627: 1619:Induction furnace 467:around the weld. 340:Impact resistance 326:of the substance. 130:, which is rapid 16:(Redirected from 2011: 1765: 1764: 1704:Bessemer process 1654: 1653: 1636: 1526: 1525: 1479: 1472: 1465: 1456: 1455: 1423: 1417: 1406: 1401: 1395: 1389: 1383: 1382: 1371: 1365: 1359: 1353: 1347: 1341: 1335: 1329: 1323: 1317: 1311: 1305: 1299: 1288: 1282: 1276: 1270: 1264: 1258: 1252: 1246: 1240: 1234: 1228: 1222: 1216: 1215: 1205: 1173: 1167: 1161: 1155: 1149: 1143: 1137: 1131: 1125: 1110: 1104: 1098: 1092: 608:Tempering colors 542:stress relieving 503:, and sometimes 491:Normalized steel 442:tensile strength 336:of the material. 288:– Resistance to 272:tensile strength 176:tensile strength 21: 2019: 2018: 2014: 2013: 2012: 2010: 2009: 2008: 1994: 1993: 1992: 1987: 1935: 1911:Decarburization 1877: 1854: 1795: 1786: 1749: 1723: 1692: 1664:Pattern welding 1645: 1637: 1624: 1579: 1568:Anthracite iron 1517: 1516:Iron production 1511: 1493: 1483: 1441: 1431: 1429:Further reading 1426: 1418: 1409: 1402: 1398: 1390: 1386: 1373: 1372: 1368: 1360: 1356: 1348: 1344: 1336: 1332: 1324: 1320: 1312: 1308: 1300: 1291: 1283: 1279: 1271: 1267: 1259: 1255: 1247: 1243: 1235: 1231: 1223: 1219: 1174: 1170: 1162: 1158: 1150: 1146: 1138: 1134: 1126: 1113: 1105: 1101: 1093: 1089: 1085: 1058: 1036:. Several high- 1018: 1012: 999: 997:Black tempering 990: 988:White tempering 958: 885: 851: 835: 805: 799: 786: 780: 755: 749: 738: 732: 692: 686: 610: 578: 572: 559:reinforcing bar 555: 547: 518: 493: 478: 473: 389: 346:Wear resistance 334:Young's modulus 249: 228: 204:maraging steels 158:referred to as 141: 94:Tempering is a 80: 28: 23: 22: 15: 12: 11: 5: 2017: 2007: 2006: 1989: 1988: 1986: 1985: 1980: 1975: 1970: 1965: 1960: 1955: 1949: 1947: 1941: 1940: 1937: 1936: 1934: 1933: 1928: 1923: 1918: 1913: 1908: 1903: 1897: 1892: 1882: 1879: 1878: 1876: 1875: 1870: 1864: 1862: 1856: 1855: 1853: 1852: 1847: 1842: 1837: 1832: 1827: 1822: 1817: 1815:Carbonitriding 1812: 1807: 1801: 1799: 1797:Case-hardening 1788: 1787: 1785: 1784: 1779: 1773: 1771: 1762: 1759:Heat treatment 1755: 1754: 1751: 1750: 1748: 1747: 1742: 1737: 1731: 1729: 1725: 1724: 1722: 1721: 1716: 1711: 1706: 1700: 1698: 1694: 1693: 1691: 1690: 1685: 1683:Tatara furnace 1680: 1673:Damascus steel 1669:Crucible steel 1666: 1660: 1658: 1651: 1639: 1638: 1631: 1629: 1626: 1625: 1623: 1622: 1615:Cupola furnace 1608: 1587: 1585: 1581: 1580: 1578: 1577: 1572: 1571: 1570: 1565: 1560: 1545: 1534: 1532: 1523: 1513: 1512: 1510: 1509: 1504: 1498: 1495: 1494: 1482: 1481: 1474: 1467: 1459: 1453: 1452: 1447: 1440: 1439:External links 1437: 1436: 1435: 1430: 1427: 1425: 1424: 1407: 1396: 1384: 1366: 1354: 1342: 1330: 1318: 1306: 1289: 1277: 1265: 1253: 1241: 1229: 1217: 1188:(6): 888–893. 1168: 1164:Roberts-Austen 1156: 1144: 1132: 1111: 1099: 1086: 1084: 1081: 1080: 1079: 1077:Tempered glass 1074: 1069: 1064: 1057: 1054: 1050:supersaturated 1048:phases from a 1014:Main article: 1011: 1008: 998: 995: 989: 986: 957: 954: 884: 881: 850: 847: 833: 803: 798: 795: 782:Main article: 779: 776: 751:Main article: 748: 745: 736: 731: 728: 688:Main article: 685: 682: 661: 660: 657: 654: 651: 648: 645: 642: 639: 609: 606: 574:Main article: 571: 568: 554: 551: 545: 517: 514: 492: 489: 476: 472: 471:Quenched steel 469: 430:yield strength 426:shear strength 399:state through 388: 385: 384: 383: 365: 343: 337: 327: 313: 307: 297: 283: 276:shear strength 268:yield strength 248: 245: 227: 224: 172:yield strength 156:solid solution 139: 96:heat treatment 88:microstructure 79: 76: 63:critical point 26: 18:Tempered steel 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 2016: 2005: 2002: 2001: 1999: 1984: 1983:United States 1981: 1979: 1976: 1974: 1971: 1969: 1966: 1964: 1961: 1959: 1956: 1954: 1951: 1950: 1948: 1946: 1942: 1932: 1929: 1927: 1924: 1922: 1919: 1917: 1914: 1912: 1909: 1907: 1904: 1901: 1898: 1896: 1893: 1891: 1887: 1884: 1883: 1880: 1874: 1871: 1869: 1866: 1865: 1863: 1861: 1857: 1851: 1848: 1846: 1845:Precipitation 1843: 1841: 1838: 1836: 1833: 1831: 1828: 1826: 1823: 1821: 1818: 1816: 1813: 1811: 1808: 1806: 1803: 1802: 1800: 1798: 1793: 1789: 1783: 1782:Short circuit 1780: 1778: 1775: 1774: 1772: 1770: 1766: 1763: 1760: 1756: 1746: 1743: 1741: 1738: 1736: 1733: 1732: 1730: 1726: 1720: 1717: 1715: 1712: 1710: 1707: 1705: 1702: 1701: 1699: 1695: 1689: 1686: 1684: 1681: 1678: 1674: 1670: 1667: 1665: 1662: 1661: 1659: 1655: 1652: 1649: 1644: 1640: 1635: 1620: 1616: 1612: 1609: 1606: 1603: 1600: 1599:Reverberatory 1596: 1592: 1589: 1588: 1586: 1582: 1576: 1573: 1569: 1566: 1564: 1561: 1559: 1556: 1555: 1553: 1549: 1548:Blast furnace 1546: 1543: 1539: 1536: 1535: 1533: 1531: 1527: 1524: 1521: 1514: 1508: 1505: 1503: 1500: 1499: 1496: 1491: 1487: 1480: 1475: 1473: 1468: 1466: 1461: 1460: 1457: 1451: 1448: 1446: 1443: 1442: 1433: 1432: 1421: 1416: 1414: 1412: 1405: 1400: 1393: 1388: 1380: 1376: 1370: 1363: 1358: 1351: 1346: 1339: 1334: 1327: 1322: 1315: 1310: 1303: 1298: 1296: 1294: 1286: 1281: 1274: 1269: 1262: 1257: 1250: 1245: 1238: 1233: 1226: 1221: 1213: 1209: 1204: 1199: 1195: 1191: 1187: 1183: 1179: 1172: 1165: 1160: 1153: 1148: 1141: 1136: 1129: 1124: 1122: 1120: 1118: 1116: 1109: 1103: 1096: 1091: 1087: 1078: 1075: 1073: 1070: 1068: 1065: 1063: 1060: 1059: 1053: 1051: 1047: 1046:intermetallic 1041: 1039: 1035: 1031: 1027: 1023: 1017: 1007: 1004: 994: 985: 983: 979: 974: 972: 968: 964: 953: 949: 946: 942: 938: 934: 929: 925: 922: 918: 914: 910: 906: 902: 898: 894: 890: 889:hardenability 880: 877: 871: 869: 865: 861: 855: 849:Embrittlement 846: 844: 840: 830: 828: 824: 819: 817: 813: 809: 794: 792: 785: 775: 771: 768: 759: 754: 744: 742: 727: 723: 721: 717: 713: 709: 706:, for making 705: 704:bladesmithing 696: 691: 681: 679: 675: 671: 667: 658: 655: 652: 649: 646: 643: 640: 637: 636: 635: 633: 628: 624: 614: 605: 603: 599: 595: 589: 587: 583: 577: 570:Blacksmithing 567: 564: 560: 550: 543: 539: 535: 531: 527: 523: 513: 511: 506: 502: 498: 488: 484: 482: 468: 466: 462: 458: 454: 450: 445: 443: 439: 435: 431: 427: 423: 419: 415: 410: 406: 402: 398: 394: 381: 377: 373: 369: 366: 363: 359: 355: 351: 347: 344: 341: 338: 335: 331: 328: 325: 321: 317: 314: 311: 308: 305: 301: 298: 295: 291: 287: 284: 281: 277: 273: 269: 265: 261: 258: 257: 256: 254: 244: 241: 237: 233: 223: 220: 216: 212: 211:carbon steels 207: 205: 201: 197: 193: 189: 185: 181: 177: 173: 167: 165: 161: 157: 153: 149: 145: 137: 133: 129: 125: 121: 117: 113: 109: 105: 101: 97: 89: 84: 75: 73: 69: 64: 60: 56: 52: 48: 44: 40: 32: 19: 1873:Martempering 1868:Austempering 1859: 1777:Low hydrogen 1595:Finery forge 1591:Wrought iron 1419: 1403: 1399: 1391: 1387: 1378: 1369: 1361: 1357: 1349: 1345: 1337: 1333: 1325: 1321: 1313: 1309: 1301: 1284: 1280: 1272: 1268: 1260: 1256: 1248: 1244: 1236: 1232: 1224: 1220: 1185: 1181: 1171: 1163: 1159: 1151: 1147: 1139: 1135: 1127: 1107: 1102: 1094: 1090: 1067:Austempering 1042: 1038:alloy steels 1019: 1000: 991: 975: 959: 950: 930: 926: 913:rotary files 905:screwdrivers 886: 883:Alloy steels 872: 856: 852: 831: 827:dislocations 820: 800: 787: 784:Martempering 778:Martempering 772: 764: 753:Austempering 747:Austempering 733: 724: 701: 662: 620: 590: 579: 556: 530:forge welded 519: 516:Welded steel 494: 485: 474: 457:metalworking 446: 393:carbon steel 390: 387:Carbon steel 380:service life 324:malleability 250: 229: 208: 188:alloy steels 168: 93: 78:Introduction 38: 37: 1916:Forming gas 1820:Carburizing 1677:Wootz steel 1643:Steelmaking 1542:sponge iron 1249:How To Weld 1152:Tool steels 678:passivation 670:carburizing 602:carburizing 453:normalizing 418:plastically 414:elastically 310:Brittleness 294:Charpy test 264:deformation 247:Terminology 124:brittleness 1973:Luxembourg 1953:Bangladesh 1895:Deflashing 1805:Ausforming 1648:Steel mill 1558:Cold blast 1550:(produces 1540:(produces 1492:production 1083:References 978:ledeburite 921:molybdenum 909:drill bits 864:phosphorus 627:iron oxide 576:Blacksmith 526:gas welded 522:arc welded 501:martensite 422:fracturing 376:deflection 330:Elasticity 316:Plasticity 253:metallurgy 219:normalized 196:molybdenum 184:plasticity 180:elasticity 164:martensite 102:, such as 1926:Quenching 1900:Hardening 1890:Deburring 1860:Tempering 1840:Nitriding 1835:Induction 1825:Cryogenic 1792:Hardening 1769:Annealing 1728:Secondary 1611:Cast iron 1584:Secondary 1563:Hot blast 1520:Ironworks 1212:135890256 1026:magnesium 1003:inert gas 967:cementite 956:Cast iron 933:manganese 868:manganese 666:Oxidizing 598:oxidizing 481:quenching 438:ductility 405:quenching 401:annealing 397:malleable 320:ductility 286:Toughness 160:austenite 152:cementite 128:quenching 120:ductility 112:toughness 108:cast iron 55:hardening 43:toughness 39:Tempering 1998:Category 1810:Boriding 1602:Puddling 1552:pig iron 1538:Bloomery 1530:Smelting 1056:See also 1030:titanium 1022:aluminum 971:pearlite 963:graphite 945:aluminum 901:wrenches 897:vanadium 893:chromium 767:pearlite 586:Anatolia 582:Hittites 497:pearlite 434:hardness 358:spalling 354:ablation 300:Hardness 290:fracture 260:Strength 232:pick axe 215:carbides 192:chromium 116:hardness 59:hardness 1978:Nigeria 1761:methods 1605:Furnace 1190:Bibcode 941:silicon 843:machine 812:galling 741:bainite 557:Modern 510:machine 505:bainite 372:fatigue 362:galling 350:erosion 236:Galilee 226:History 148:ferrite 132:cooling 72:springs 49:-based 1210:  1034:nickel 1032:, and 943:, and 937:nickel 917:cobalt 876:sulfur 712:swords 708:knives 461:welded 440:, and 144:phases 100:alloys 51:alloys 1968:Italy 1963:India 1958:China 1613:(via 1593:(via 1490:steel 1208:S2CID 791:files 623:oxide 594:forge 449:files 360:, or 104:steel 68:tools 1597:or 1488:and 1486:Iron 911:and 903:and 839:form 710:and 674:rust 194:and 182:and 174:and 150:and 47:iron 1617:or 1198:doi 919:or 895:or 841:or 834:2,4 668:or 600:or 584:of 322:or 251:In 209:In 106:or 45:of 2000:: 1794:/ 1675:, 1554:) 1410:^ 1377:. 1292:^ 1206:. 1196:. 1186:17 1184:. 1180:. 1114:^ 1028:, 1024:, 939:, 935:, 845:. 735:(M 722:. 680:. 524:, 512:. 499:, 436:, 432:, 428:, 356:, 352:, 206:. 166:. 1902:) 1888:( 1679:) 1671:( 1650:) 1646:( 1621:) 1607:) 1544:) 1522:) 1518:( 1478:e 1471:t 1464:v 1381:. 1214:. 1200:: 1192:: 804:f 737:s 546:1 477:3 382:. 364:. 140:1 20:)

Index

Tempered steel

toughness
iron
alloys
hardening
hardness
critical point
tools
springs

microstructure
heat treatment
alloys
steel
cast iron
toughness
hardness
ductility
brittleness
quenching
cooling
critical temperature
phases
ferrite
cementite
solid solution
austenite
martensite
yield strength

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