Temperimisega

Temperimisega is an Estonian term used in metallurgy to describe the heat-treatment process of tempering metals to achieve a balance between hardness and toughness. In technical texts, it denotes performing tempering steps during metal processing, most commonly with steel, but also applicable to other metallic alloys. Tempering follows hardening and is used to relieve internal stresses and reduce brittleness, thereby increasing resistance to impact while preserving sufficient hardness for wear.

The process typically involves heating the metal to a specified tempering temperature below its primary phase-transition point, maintaining it for a defined soak time, and then cooling in air, oil, or another medium. The choice of temperature determines the final properties: lower temperatures yield higher hardness and moderate toughness; higher tempering temperatures yield greater ductility and toughness at the expense of some hardness. In practice, tempering temperatures for steel usually range from about 150 to 650 degrees Celsius, with soak times from several minutes to a few hours.

Temperimisega is applied in the production of tools, gears, shafts, springs, and structural components where a controlled combination of hardness, strength, and resilience is required. The exact parameters depend on the alloy composition, the desired performance, and the intended service conditions. Quality control commonly uses hardness testing and microstructure examination to verify that the tempering outcome meets specifications.