temperedhardened

Temperedhardened is a term used in metallurgy to describe steel or other alloys that have undergone both hardening and tempering heat treatments. In this context, hardening refers to heating the material into the austenite range and quenching rapidly to produce a hard, brittle martensitic microstructure. Tempering follows, where the material is reheated to a lower temperature and held, then cooled. Tempering reduces internal stresses and brittleness while preserving a high level of hardness and strength. The resulting tempered martensite balances hardness with improved toughness and ductility, making the material more reliable in service.

In practice, the exact temperatures and times depend on the alloy and the desired properties. Hardeners often use oil, water, or polymer quenchants. Typical tempering temperatures range from about 150°C to 650°C; lower tempering preserves higher hardness, while higher tempering increases toughness. Carbon steels and tool steels are common examples; stainless steels and superalloys require different quench-and-temper schedules.

The term is often used interchangeably with quenched and tempered or hardened and tempered. It is important to consult material specifications to confirm the exact heat-treatment parameters, as these influence hardness (often measured on the Rockwell scale), toughness, wear resistance, and dimensional stability.

See also: quenching, tempering, martensite, case hardening, heat treatment of steel.