Homonym: Tempering (Moderation)
Tempering is a heat treatment process used to improve the toughness and durability of metals, particularly steel. It involves heating the metal to a specific temperature, then cooling it down gradually. This process helps to relieve internal stresses and reduce brittleness, making the metal more resilient for various applications.
In addition to metals, tempering can also refer to the process of adjusting the properties of materials like chocolate. In chocolate tempering, the cocoa butter crystals are stabilized through controlled heating and cooling, resulting in a smooth texture and glossy finish. This technique is essential for creating high-quality chocolate products.