Temper Terminology
Temper Terminology
Age Hardenable Tempers
This term means the material can be strengthened by simple heat treatment after stamping or forming. The strength level will be roughly doubled by optimum heat treatment.
| ASTM Designation | Description | Name |
|---|---|---|
| TB00 | Annealed | A |
| TD01 | Quarter Hard | 1/4 H |
| TD02 | Half Hard | 1/2 H |
| TD04 | Hard | H |
Heat Treated Tempers
These tempers describe the resulting strength after optimum heat treatment of their age hardenable counter parts.
| ASTM Designation | Description | Name |
|---|---|---|
| TF00 | Annealed & Heat Treated | AT |
| TH01 | Quarter Hard & Heat Treated | 1/4 HT |
| TH02 | Half Hard & Heat Treated | 1/2 HT |
| TH04 | Hard & Heat Treated | HT |
Mill Hardened Tempers
These tempers have been heat treated through carefully controlled processing to develop a strength level between age hardenable and fully heat treated tempers. They are normally formed and put into service at this strength. They are also used to provide sturdy, miniature parts for subsequent full heat treatment. This approach protects small parts from damage and improves dimensional stability during final heat treatment.
| ASTM Designation | Name |
|---|---|
| TM00 | AM |
| TM01 | 1/4 HM |
| TM02 | 1/2 HM |
| TM04 | HM |
| TM05 | SHM |
| TM06 | XHM |
| TM08 | XHMS |