hardness - Hutchinson encyclopedia article about hardness Printer Friendly
Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary
1,956,046,953 visitors served.
forum mailing list For webmasters
?
New: Language forums
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

hardness

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Acronyms, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.

hardness

The resistance of a material to indentation by various means, such as scratching, abrasion, wear, and drilling. Methods of heat treatment can increase the hardness of metals. A scale of hardness was devised by German–Austrian mineralogist Friedrich Mohs in the 1800s, based upon the hardness of certain minerals from soft talc (Mohs hardness 1) to diamond (10), the hardest of all materials.

Hardness is often measured by the Brinell hardness test. The hardness of water refers to the presence of dissolved minerals that prevent soap lathering and form scum, particularly compounds of calcium and magnesium. Treatment with a water softener may remove or neutralize them.



How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
 Email
Feedback
?Sign in SSL protected
Email:
Password:
Register

? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
"That," replied the Anarchist, who was not without a certain hardness of head, "that is none of your business; I am not bound to be consistent.
Fantastic-Fables by Bierce, Ambrose View in context
Her manner towards me had been altered ever since I had begun to treat her with hardness and indifference: she almost cringed to me on every occasion; she consulted my countenance incessantly, and beset me with innumerable little officious attentions.
The Professor by Bronte, Charlotte View in context
The blended Tahitian and English blood showed in his soft eyes and tawny skin; but the English hardness seemed to have disappeared.
Adventure by London, Jack View in context
More results
 
Hutchinson browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Hutchinson Encyclopedia
?

Terms of Use | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2010 Farlex, Inc.
Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.