
on August 3, 2022 | 3 min. read
Did you know that tempered steel has been around for centuries? In feudal Japan, bladesmiths would make weapons using tempered metal. They would often place clay around parts of a steel sword, stick it into a furnace and then quench the blade in water.
Although the product may look a little different today, tempered steel is just one of the many heat-treated materials offered here at Mead Metals. To truly comprehend tempered steel, it’s important to understand the benefits of heating steel as a method of strengthening metal.
Tempering is the process of heating steel to a high temperature, though below the melting point, then allowing it to cool in still air. This process improves the machinability of the hardened steel while reducing the risk of cracks due to internal stresses.
The difference between annealing, hardening, and tempering comes down to how the steel is treated.
Here are some of the key benefits associated with tempered steel:
As mentioned before, tempered steel changes the mechanical properties of metal to incorporate beneficial elements such as added strength and resistance. This makes it a good material for tools, structural steel, and even swords!
We utilize this treatment process to create tempered spring steel. With added yield strength, objects made of tempered spring steel can return to their original shape after significant bending or twisting. Mead Metals offers this product in various grades, sizes, and quantities to meet your exact needs.
While the process of steel tempering is relatively simple, the specifications for each grade, steel, and alloy are exact. It begins by elevating the metal to a set temperature point — one that is below its lower critical temperature.
Once the metal reaches the desired temperature, it is held there for a specified time. Following the dwell time, the furnace is turned off as the steel is cooled at a specific rate.
Factors such as temperature requirements, cooling temperature, cooling methods, and speed all hinge on the specific steel type being tempered. Because of this, an array of devices may be used in the tempering process, including gas furnaces, electrical furnaces, or even induction furnaces.
If you’re searching for tempered steel products, look no further. With various grades, sizes, and quantities, we can fulfill any tempered steel needs at the right time (and for the right price!).