hardening (redirected from Precipitation hardening)

hardening

[här′dəning]

Etymology: AS, heard, hard

1 See induration, sclerosis.

2 the procedure of rendering tissue firm, so that it may be more readily cut for purposes of microscopic examination.

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hardening (härˑ·d·ning),

n technique for the cultivation of effective physiologic responsiveness to stress.

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hardening,

n the process of setting or becoming firm.

hardening, age,

n the precipitation of intermetallic compounds that alters certain physical properties in alloys; usually brought about through heat treatment.

hardening, precipitation,

See tempering.

hardening solution,

See solution, hardening.

hardening, strain,

an increase in proportional limit resulting from distortion of the space lattice and fracture of grain boundaries through cold working. Ductility is markedly reduced.

hardening, work,

n the hardening of a metal by cold work, such as repeated flexing.