Tempering increases toughness of iron-based metals; which property is enhanced?

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Multiple Choice

Tempering increases toughness of iron-based metals; which property is enhanced?

Explanation:
Tempering alters the microstructure from hard, brittle martensite toward tempered martensite and relieves internal stresses. This change lets the material deform plastically more before fracturing, so it can absorb more energy in a crack-initiating event. That increased energy absorption is what we call toughness. So tempering improves the material’s ability to resist fracture under impact or complex loading, even though hardness (and often strength) may drop. Ductility can rise too, but toughness best captures the overall resistance to crack propagation.

Tempering alters the microstructure from hard, brittle martensite toward tempered martensite and relieves internal stresses. This change lets the material deform plastically more before fracturing, so it can absorb more energy in a crack-initiating event. That increased energy absorption is what we call toughness. So tempering improves the material’s ability to resist fracture under impact or complex loading, even though hardness (and often strength) may drop. Ductility can rise too, but toughness best captures the overall resistance to crack propagation.

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