Casehardening

Case-hardening, the process of converting the surface of malleable-iron goods into steel, thereby making them harder, less liable to rust, and capable of taking on a better polish.

Entry from Everybody's Cyclopedia, 1912.

Case"hard`en*ing, n.

The act or process of converting the surface of iron into steel.

Ure.

⇒ Casehardening is now commonly effected by cementation with charcoal or other carbonizing material, the depth and degree of hardening (carbonization) depending on the time during which the iron is exposed to the heat. See Cementation.

© Webster 1913.