What is Age Hardening of Stainless Steel ?
Age hardening is divided into two main steps. First, the alloy is heated, which is called solid solution treatment, and it dissolves all the alloying elements. Then, the material is rapidly cooled, which is called quenching, and the alloying elements are “trapped” in solution. Next, the material is reheated to a lower temperature, which is called aging. The trapped elements form fine particles, which impede dislocation motion, which strengthens the material.