Selecting a Metallurgical Temper

This criterion is very important when a specific level of mechanical properties and formability is required. 

The highest formability is offered by tempers O and Hill. Among the strain-hardened tempers HIX, formability decreases with the level of strain hardening. Thus, for a given alloy, temper H14 offers less formability than H12, H16 less than H14, and so on. 

For a given level of mechanical properties, the partially annealed tempers H2X offer a better formability than their HIX counterparts. 

These alloys are used mainly in structural applications. Their use in humid or aggressive environments should be avoided, unless a suitable protection is provided. 

Their formability is maximum in the annealed condition or immediately after quenching. 

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