Glossary Terms

THERMAL STRESS. Stresses in metal resulting from non-uniform temperature distribution.

THERMOCOUPLE. A device for measuring temperatures, consisting of lengths of two dissimilar metals or alloys that are electrically joined at one end and connected to a voltage-measuring instrument at the other end. When one junction is hotter than the other, a thermal electromotive force is produced that is roughly proportional to […]

TOTAL CARBON. The sum of the free and combined carbon (including carbon in solution) in a ferrous alloy.

TOUGHNESS. The ability of a metal to absorb energy and deform plastically before fracturing.

TRANSFORMATION HARDENING. Heat treatment comprising austenitization followed by cooling under conditions such that the austenite transforms more or less completely into martensite and possibly into bainite.

TRANSFORMATION TEMPERATURE. The temperature at which a change in phase occurs. This term is sometimes used to denote the limiting temperature of a transformation range. The following symbols are used for irons and steels: Accm. In hypereutectoid steel, the temperature at which solution of cementite in austenite is completed during heating. […]

TRANSGRANULAR CRACKING. Cracking or fracturing that occurs through or across a crystal or grains. Also called transcrystalline cracking.