Topic: Material Science
Hardness of steel depends on
- A. Amount of carbon it contains
- B. The shape and distribution of the carbides in iron
- C. Method of fabrication
- D. Contents of alloying elements
Answer: A. Amount of carbon it contains
Explanation: The term hardened steel is often used for a medium or high carbon steel that has been given heat treatment and then quenching followed by tempering. Hardness of steel depends on the amount of carbon present in metal. Only steel that is high in carbon can be hardened and tempered. If a metal does not contain the necessary quantity of carbon, then its crystalline structure cannot be broken.