Molecular Structure of Metal at Different Stages - Rick

[RickVS]

I am interested to know what a metal's molecular structure is in the following stages:

1) Home from the store
2) After heating to orange glow
3) After quenching in oil (and why is it very hard but brittle at this stage)
4) After tempering in a hot oven for an hour.

I've just always wondered. Thanks!

Rick

 

[Borek]

There is no single answer to this question. Depends on the metal, its exact composition, its history prior to be brought from the store.

You want us to explain in one simple post everything that is in fat metallurgy books. That won't work.

Do some googling or wikipedia reading, plenty of fascinating information on the web.