Glossary Term
Definition and Purpose
Age hardening, also known as precipitation hardening, is a heat treatment process used to increase the hardness and strength of certain metals and alloys. By heating the material to a specific temperature and then cooling it at a controlled rate, fine particles precipitate within the metal matrix, hindering dislocation movement and thereby enhancing the material's mechanical properties. This process is critical in applications requiring high strength-to-weight ratios, such as in aerospace and automotive components.
Comments