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Temper embrittlement is the reduction in fracture toughness due to a metallurgical change that can occur in some low-alloy steels as a result of long-term exposure in the temperature range of about 650 °F to 1070 °F (345 °C to 575 °C).
Temper embrittlement can also occur as a result of isothermal exposure to this temperature range. The occurrence of temper embrittlement can be determined by measurement of the change in the ductile to brittle transition temperature with a notched bar impact test, before and after heat treatment