élzett

The term "élzett" is a Hungarian word that translates to "tempered" in English, particularly in the context of metals. It refers to a heat treatment process used to reduce the brittleness of hardened steel and increase its toughness. This process is crucial in metallurgy for achieving a balance between hardness and ductility in metal components.

When steel is quenched (rapidly cooled), it becomes very hard but also brittle. Tempering involves reheating the hardened steel to a specific temperature below its critical point, holding it there for a period, and then cooling it. The temperature and duration of this reheating process are carefully controlled to achieve the desired level of toughness. Higher tempering temperatures result in a softer, more ductile metal, while lower temperatures retain more hardness.

This controlled process allows manufacturers to tailor the mechanical properties of steel to its intended application. For example, tools that require both sharpness and resistance to chipping, such as knives or chisels, are tempered to achieve this precise balance. Similarly, structural components that need to withstand significant stress and impact also benefit from tempering. The term "élzett" therefore encapsulates the outcome of this vital metallurgical technique.