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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 DesignationDescriptionName
TB00AnnealedA
TD01Quarter Hard1/4 H
TD02Half Hard1/2 H
TD04HardH

Heat Treated Tempers – These tempers describe the resulting strength after optimum heat treatment of their age hardenable counter parts.

ASTM DesignationDescriptionName
TF00Annealed & Heat TreatedAT
TH01Quarter Hard & Heat Treated1/4 HT
TH02Half Hard & Heat Treated1/2 HT
TH04Hard & Heat TreatedHT

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 DesignationName
TM00AM
TM011/4 HM
TM021/2 HM
TM04HM
TM05SHM
TM06XHM
TM08XHMS