hardness; rigidity; water hardness
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
hardness; resistance of a solid material to deformation, scratching, or indentation
technicalIn materials science and engineering, this is a key mechanical property often measured using Mohs, Brinell, Rockwell, or Vickers scales.
This alloy has very high hardness, making it suitable for manufacturing cutting tools.
Diamond is rated as level 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness.
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Engineers are testing the hardness of the steel to ensure it meets standards.
noun
water hardness; concentration of calcium and magnesium salts in water
technicalExpressed in degrees (German, French) or milligrams per liter of CaCO₃. High hardness causes scale buildup and reduces soap effectiveness.
The tap water in this area has relatively high hardness; installing a water softener is recommended.
Water hardness affects the foaming effectiveness of detergents and soap.
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Hard water contains relatively high amounts of calcium and magnesium ions.