case hardened
Metallurgically surface-treated
Case hardened describes metal that has been treated to create a hard outer surface while keeping a softer, tougher core—the "case" being the hardened exterior layer.
The process makes objects resistant to wear without becoming brittle throughout.
Figuratively, a case-hardened person has become tough or unfeeling through experience: Years of rejection had left him case hardened.
Doubting human goodness
- jadedDulled by overindulgence
- callousedThickened from wear
- thick-skinnedResistant to criticism
- battle-scarredDamaged by fighting
world-weary · desensitized · steeled · inured · toughened · unfeeling · cold · numb
Able to withstand friction
- abrasion-resistantUnharmed by rubbing
- corrosion-resistantWithstands oxidation and decay
- toughenedMade more durable
- reinforcedMade more resistant
heavy-duty · rugged · sturdy · robust · long-lasting · solid · fortified · strengthened
Surface-hardening heat treatment
- nitridingNitrogen-based surface treatment
- quenchingRapid cooling process
- heat treatmentThermal processing of materials
- microstructureSubmillimeter material composition
Durable and strong
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- tenaciousStubbornly determined to continue
- steadfastFirmly loyal, unshakeable
- unbreakableImpossible to damage
iron-willed · unshakable · strong-willed · unbending · adamant · stalwart · hardbitten · implacable
cynical
Doubting human goodness
- jadedDulled by overindulgence
- callousedThickened from wear
- thick-skinnedResistant to criticism
battle-scarred · world-weary · desensitized · steeled · inured · toughened · unfeeling · cold · numb · detached
wear-resistant
Able to withstand friction
- abrasion-resistantUnharmed by rubbing
- corrosion-resistantWithstands oxidation and decay
- toughenedMade more durable
reinforced · heavy-duty · rugged · sturdy · robust · long-lasting · solid · fortified · strengthened · impervious
carburizing
Surface-hardening heat treatment
- nitridingNitrogen-based surface treatment
- quenchingRapid cooling process
- heat treatmentThermal processing of materials
tough
Durable and strong
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- tenaciousStubbornly determined to continue
- steadfastFirmly loyal, unshakeable
unbreakable · iron-willed · unshakable · strong-willed · unbending · adamant · stalwart · hardbitten · implacable · obdurate
- metal propertiesmalleable, ductile, conductive, magnetic, brittle
case hardenedsoft
Yielding to touch
annealed · unhardened · untreated · malleable · ductile
case hardenedsensitive
Easily affected emotionally
tender · soft-hearted · vulnerable · tender-hearted · impressionable
case, harden, cases, cased, casing, hardened, hardens, hardening, hard