eli5, Why does metal become harder when you heat treat it?
In: 2
Most metals are actually made of something similar to crystals! One of the things that make crystals notable is that the slower they are formed, the bigger they form.
For metal, that means if it is slowly cooled the ‘crystals’ are big and the entire thing is ordered. Depending on the properties of the metal, this means that it might be harder and less likely to move, or it might be more flexible and less likely to break. On the other hand, quickly cooling (quenching) the metal can make many small crystals form and interlock better. Once again depending on the specific metal properties, this can make it more flexible or more hard.
“Heat treating” can be heating and a mix of quick and slow cooling in an attempt to cause the ‘crystals’ to form in a way best for the final goal of the metal.
Latest Answers