Tempering is required after quenching to reduce the brittleness caused by rapid cooling.
It relieves internal stresses and improves toughness of the hardened metal.
This gives a better balance of hardness, strength, and durability.
In this article:
Why is tempering required after quenching?
Tempering is required after quenching because quenched steel is very hard but also very brittle. Quenching forms martensite, which contains high internal stresses and can crack easily.
Reasons for Tempering After Quenching
- Relieves internal stresses produced during rapid cooling.
- Reduces brittleness and the risk of cracking.
- Improves toughness and ductility.
- Stabilizes the microstructure by converting brittle martensite into tempered martensite.
- Adjusts hardness to a practical level for service conditions.
Conclusion
Tempering is done after quenching to reduce brittleness and internal stresses while improving the toughness and ductility of hardened steel.
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