Temperability or Hardening Depth
The deeper the tempering process penetrates, the higher the mechanical resistance of parts of considerable thickness, and the deeper the optimal level of wear resistance. In large parts, as a rule, it is important that the tempering effect reaches the core.
Temperability depends on the steels’ chemical composition, the elements most commonly used to increase temperability being Manganese, Chromium, Nickel and Molybdenum.
Temperability is also affected by other metallurgical factors related to the manufacturing process of steel, particularly its deoxidisation
