case-hardened steel
Definition
Noun: - Steel with a surface that is much harder than the interior metal: Case-hardened steel is a type of steel that has undergone a specific heat treatment process. This process hardens only the outer layer (the "case") of the metal while leaving the inner core ("interior metal") relatively softer and tougher. This combination provides a hard, wear-resistant surface and a ductile, shock-absorbing core.
Usage
- This term is used to describe a material property, typically in industrial, manufacturing, and engineering contexts.
- It is often specified for components that require high surface durability and resistance to abrasion while needing to withstand impact or bending forces without fracturing.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- Metallurgical Context: The case-hardening process is often achieved through methods like carburizing or nitriding, where the steel is exposed to a carbon or nitrogen-rich atmosphere at high temperature. The term "case-hardened steel" implies the completion of this process.
- As a Modifier: The term can function adjectivally to describe other nouns (e.g., , ).
Variants and Related Words
- Case-hardening (n): The process used to create case-hardened steel.
- Carburized steel: A common type of case-hardened steel where carbon is diffused into the surface.
- Surface-hardened steel: A more general term that includes case-hardening and other methods like induction hardening.
- Through-hardened steel: A contrasting term for steel hardened uniformly throughout its cross-section.
Synonyms
- Face-hardened steel (less common, sometimes used in specific contexts like armor plating).
- Carburized steel (specifies the carburizing method).
Antonyms
- Annealed steel: Steel softened by heat treatment.
- Through-hardened steel: Steel hardened throughout, not just on the surface.
- Soft steel: Steel with low hardness.
Related Phrases/Idioms
(No common idioms or phrasal verbs are directly associated with this specific technical term.)
Noun
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steel with a surface that is much harder than the interior metal
