What Does it Mean to Temper Something?

Steel tempering is a condition produced in sheet steel by mechanical, chemical, or thermal treatment. A given steel may be in fully softened or annealed temper, or it may be cold worked to the hard temper, or further to spring temper.

A given steel may be in fully softened or annealed temper, or it may be cold worked to the hard temper, or further to spring temper. Intermediate tempers produced by cold working (rolling) are called "quarter hard," "half-hard," and "three-quarters hard," and are determined by the amount of cold reduction.

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Want to know the meaning behind other commonly used words and phrases in metal? Check out The Gauge Glossary.