Tempering steel is performed to increase which property?

Tempering steel is performed to increase which property?

• A. Brittleness
• B. Ductility
• C. Hardness
• D. Toughness

Answer: (D)

Tempering steel is a heat-treatment step that increases the steel’s ability to absorb energy without cracking. After hardening, steel is very hard but brittle. Tempering heats it to a moderate temperature and then cools it, which relieves internal stresses and makes the microstructure more forgiving. The result is a material that is less prone to brittle fracture and can withstand impacts and bending better. Hardness decreases with tempering, so that option isn’t what’s being increased. Brittleness is reduced, not increased, which is why that choice doesn’t fit. Ductility may improve as well, but the property most directly enhanced by tempering is toughness—the ability to absorb energy and resist fracture—which is why toughness is the best answer.

Tempering steel is a heat-treatment step that increases the steel’s ability to absorb energy without cracking. After hardening, steel is very hard but brittle. Tempering heats it to a moderate temperature and then cools it, which relieves internal stresses and makes the microstructure more forgiving. The result is a material that is less prone to brittle fracture and can withstand impacts and bending better.

Hardness decreases with tempering, so that option isn’t what’s being increased. Brittleness is reduced, not increased, which is why that choice doesn’t fit. Ductility may improve as well, but the property most directly enhanced by tempering is toughness—the ability to absorb energy and resist fracture—which is why toughness is the best answer.