case-hardening
Skin-deep metal toughening
Case-hardening is a metalworking process that hardens the outer surface of steel while leaving the core softer and more flexible.
The result combines a wear-resistant exterior with internal toughness that resists cracking.
Figuratively, case-hardening describes becoming emotionally toughened or insensitive through repeated exposure: Years of rejection had case-hardened him against criticism.
Surface-hardening heat treatment
Reduced response over time
- callousnessCruel emotional indifference
- thick-skinnedResistant to criticism
- guardedWary and restrained
- defensiveProtective or easily threatened
Toothed rotating machine parts
- bearingsAwareness of one's position
- camshaftsLobed rods operating valves
- crankshaftsRods converting piston motion
- sprocketsToothed wheels for chains
Lamellar iron-carbon phase
- ferriteMagnetic ceramic compound
- transformationThorough change in form
carburizing
Surface-hardening heat treatment
desensitization
Reduced response over time
- callousnessCruel emotional indifference
- thick-skinnedResistant to criticism
- guardedWary and restrained
defensive · resilience · self-protection · cynicism · world-weary
load-bearing
Sustaining structural mass
- durabilityResistance to wear
gears
Toothed rotating machine parts
- bearingsAwareness of one's position
- camshaftsLobed rods operating valves
- crankshaftsRods converting piston motion
sprockets · pinions · axles · fasteners · bushings · tooling
pearlite
Lamellar iron-carbon phase
- ferriteMagnetic ceramic compound
- transformationThorough change in form
case-hardeningannealing
Heat-softening of metals
softening · tempering · normalizing · stress relieving · decarburization
hard, case, harden, casing, hardness, cases, hardened, hardening, hardens