In industrial metalworking, machinists must frequently temper newly forged steel tools—such as reheating hardened drill bits, exposing saw blades to controlled airflow, and soaking cutting chisels in warm oil baths—to moderate internal stress and reduce brittleness. Although freshly hardened steel holds a sharp edge, it easily shatters when subjected to sudden mechanical shock. By altering the crystalline structure of the metal through these thermal treatments, technicians produce resilient tools capable of enduring intense operational strain.
Based on the passage, the word "temper" most nearly means to:
- Arestrain anger or moderate emotional impulses
- Bsoak cutting tools in warm oil baths
- modify metal properties through controlled thermal treatmentsAnswer
- Dsharpen cutting edges using high-speed abrasive grinding
Answer
The word "temper" refers to modifying metal properties through controlled thermal treatments.
The author defines the process of tempering by providing concrete examples of thermal methods (reheating, controlled airflow, warm oil soaking) and explicitly explaining that these thermal treatments alter the metal's crystalline structure to moderate stress and reduce brittleness. Thus, the term means modifying metal properties through controlled thermal treatments.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Inferring word meaning from illustrative examples and explanatory clauses
Estimated Time:1m 0s