What are some characteristics of steel.
Characteristics Of Steel Hardening. - The characteristic difference between steel and pure wrought iron is as follows: - When steel is raised to a red heat and then suddenly cooled, it becomes hard and brittle. This process, which is known as hardening, has no effect upon pure wrought iron. Tempering is a characteristic of steel which distinguishes it from cast iron. If steel has been hardened by being heated and suddenly cooled, as above described, it may be softened again by applying a lower degree of heat and again cooling. This is known as tempering. Cast iron, on the contrary, though it is hardened by the first process, cannot be softened by the second. When a bar of steel is struck it gives out a sharp metallic ring, quite different from the sound produced by striking wrought iron. Other characteristics of steel are its great elasticity and its retention of magnetism.
