Kuivaterästä

Kuivaterästä is a Finnish term that translates to "dry steel" or "lean steel." It refers to steel that has undergone a specific heat treatment process known as tempering. This process involves reheating the hardened steel to a temperature below its critical point and then cooling it. The primary purpose of tempering is to reduce the brittleness that results from the hardening process. By carefully controlling the tempering temperature and time, manufacturers can achieve a desired balance between hardness and toughness in the steel.

The tempering process redistributes internal stresses within the steel and allows for the formation of fine carbide precipitates. These microstructural changes lead to increased ductility and impact resistance while still maintaining a significant level of hardness. The specific temperature used for tempering determines the final properties of the steel. Lower tempering temperatures result in harder but more brittle steel, while higher temperatures produce tougher but less hard steel.

Kuivaterästä finds application in a wide range of tools and components where a combination of wear resistance and toughness is crucial. Examples include cutting tools, springs, gears, and knives. The ability to tailor the properties of steel through tempering makes it a versatile material for numerous industrial and everyday uses. The term emphasizes the controlled reduction of brittleness, highlighting the steel's improved resilience after the tempering treatment.