After the quenching process, steel becomes hard and brittle. In high-stress applications, the material can easily crack and shatter into pieces - very similar to what happens to glass when it drops.
In the majority of applications, steel may be compromised by these undesired effects. Steel is subjected to tempering, which further hardens and increases the material's toughness, in order to toughen it up and make it strong again.
What is Tempering?
Tempering is a type of heat treatment used to increase the toughness of certain metals, most commonly iron-based alloys like steel.
Using this method, the metal to be treated is heated below its critical point temperature and allowed to cool naturally.
The application of the metal and the intended result determine the tempering temperature. Other heat treatment methods, such as annealing and normalizing, are applied to metals, however the results vary. Tempering works best on metal goods that will be subjected to high loads. Bolts, washers, nuts, screws, and even knives can all be treated with it.
What are the Benefits of Tempering?
Improving toughness and hardness is one of the common benefits of tempering but the process has even more advantages:
· It changes the physical properties of the material that help in other manufacturing steps like cold forging, welding, and machining.
· By reducing tension, tempering makes it simpler to mill or weld metal.
· Increases strength while making the material more flexible and ductile.
· Increases hardness and introduces wear-resistant properties to the surface or through the entire metal.
· In certain conditions, certain metals can lose their strength and chip easily. Tempering contributes to toughening up and overcoming brittleness.
· Additionally, tempering a metal can improve its electrical and magnetic qualities. This increases the likelihood that the metal will mix well with other substances.
When is Tempering Necessary?
As mentioned earlier, there are other types of heat treatments. Understanding when to use each method is vital to guarantee desirable results for the metal, depending on its application and requirements.
Tempering is often used after a quenching operation. When a carbon steel is heated then rapidly quenched, the material becomes hard and brittle. Tempering helps to restore ductility.
Common Applications of Hardened Steel
Tempered steel is commonly used in various industries and applications. Here are some of the most common applications of tempered steel:
Constructing buildings and bridges.
Building durable storage tanks.
Cutting edges for saws and drill bits.
Making gears.
Liners for chutes, dump trucks and trailers.
Deflector plates.
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