Hardening and Tempering
Steels can be heat treated to high hardness and strength levels. The reasons for doing this are obvious. Structural components subjected to high operating stress need the high strength of a hardened structure. Similarly, tools such as dies, knives, cutting devices, and forming devices need a hardened structure to resist wear and deformation.
As-quenched hardened steels are so brittle that even slight impacts may cause fracture. Tempering is a heat treatment that reduces the brittleness of steel without significantly lowering its hardness and strength. All hardened steels must be tempered before use.
As-quenched hardened steels are so brittle that even slight impacts may cause fracture. Tempering is a heat treatment that reduces the brittleness of steel without significantly lowering its hardness and strength. All hardened steels must be tempered before use.
Quench and tempering processes:
Ø Martempering
Ø Austempering
Ø Conventional Heat, Quench and Temper process
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