hard steel

4.6

Steel with more carbon that is very strong and not easy to bend, often used for tools and blades

noun
/hɑrd stil/

Specialized

: acero duro

The manufacturer uses hard steel to produce durable tools that last for years.

Examples

This structure is reinforced with hard steel to enhance its strength under pressure.
For the project, we need to source hard steel that meets industry standards for quality.
Three-eighths, it's hard steel coil.

The Philadelphia Experiment (1984)
This is characteristic of extremely hard steels, and it's also characteristic of brittle materials like glass.

Synonyms

steel

vshard steel

536 1.4

A strong hard metal used to build things like bridges and buildings

is defined by higher carbon content that makes it harder and less ductile

carbon steel

vshard steel

Specialized

2 3.5

A strong, hard metal made by adding carbon to iron for tools and knives

is defined by a higher carbon level causing greater hardness and less ductility

Antonyms

mild steel

Specialized

3.7

A kind of metal with little carbon that is soft and easy to shape

How Hard

tool steel

Specialized

1 5.5

hard steel

Specialized

4.6

carbon steel

Specialized

2 3.5

medium steel

Specialized

5.7

mild steel

Specialized

3.7

Surface Forms

hard steel singular

hard steels plural

Morphology

hard + steel

The phrase is a simple adjective + noun composition where 'hard' describes the physical property of 'steel', so a learner who knows both words will readily infer it means steel that is hard or firm. This follows a common, cross-linguistic compositional pattern (property + substance) and does not require specialized idiomatic knowledge.

Etymology

The noun hard steel comes from the way metalworkers make steel become hard: they add extra carbon and use heat and hammering so the metal becomes very tough. So calling metal hard steel means it is 'very strong' and not easy to bend.