1
the hardening of + [noun]
常用来表示物质变硬或变坚固的过程；在工业语境中可译作“淬火”。
The hardening of steel requires heating and rapid cooling.
钢的淬火需要加热和快速冷却。
硬化；固化
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
硬化；固化
the process of becoming hard or solid, for example by cooling, drying, or crystallization
The hardening of steel requires heating and rapid cooling.
钢的淬火需要加热和快速冷却。
某物变硬的过程。
The process by which something hardens.
使变硬的东西。
Something which hardens.
The hardening of the cement takes about a day in summer.
夏天水泥的硬化大约需要一天。
Scientists studied the hardening of the resin under different temperatures.
科学家们研究了树脂在不同温度下的硬化情况。
The hardening of the frosting made it perfect for decorating the cake.
糖霜变硬后，用来装饰蛋糕就完美了。
常用来表示物质变硬或变坚固的过程；在工业语境中可译作“淬火”。
The hardening of steel requires heating and rapid cooling.
钢的淬火需要加热和快速冷却。
医学上指组织异常变硬，具体部位前需用定冠词 the。
Hardening of the arteries increases the risk of stroke.
动脉硬化会增加中风的风险。
undergo 后接表示过程的名词，强调经历某种变化。
The metal undergoes hardening when it is cooled quickly.
这种金属在快速冷却时会经历硬化。
Not this
The hardening of this metal is very high.
Use this
The hardness of this metal is very high.
hardening 指“变硬的过程”或“加硬的行为”，不是材料本身“硬度大小”的属性；描述硬度要用 hardness。原句想说金属的硬度，所以应改用 hardness。
Not this
He has artery hardening.
Use this
He has hardening of the arteries.
汉语“动脉硬化”直译为 artery hardening 不符合英语习惯；英语中表示“动脉硬化”通常用 hardening of the arteries（或 arteriosclerosis）。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
动脉硬化
A diet high in saturated fat can lead to hardening of the arteries.
高饱和脂肪的饮食可能导致动脉硬化。
态度变得强硬；态度固化
There has been a hardening of attitudes toward immigration in recent years.
近年来，对移民的态度变得强硬起来。
加工硬化（金属因冷加工而变硬）
Work hardening makes the metal stronger but more brittle.
加工硬化使金属更强，但也更脆。
硬化过程；凝固过程
The hardening process of the concrete takes about a week.
混凝土的硬化过程大约需要一周。
表面硬化；渗碳硬化（金属）
Case hardening gives the steel a tough outer layer.
表面硬化使钢具有坚韧的外层。
抗辐射加固（指设备对辐射的耐受性强化）
Radiation hardening is essential for electronics used in space.
抗辐射加固对太空中使用的电子设备至关重要。
心肠变硬；变得冷酷无情
After repeated betrayals, there is a hardening of the heart that makes trust difficult.
在反复遭遇背叛之后，人心肠会变硬，很难再信任他人。
动脉硬化（喻指思想顽固僵化）
He refuses to learn any new technology—it's like a hardening of the arteries.
他拒绝学习任何新技术——这就像是思想上的动脉硬化。
Use hardening naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
联想 hard（硬）+ en（使…）+ ing（过程）：铁器淬火后逐渐变硬，hardening 就是‘硬化’的过程。
语域：formal 常见场景：pathology、materials science、general 该词作名词时多用于正式或技术语境：医学中指组织硬化，材料科学中指变硬或淬火过程，日常生活中较少使用。具体含义需根据语境判断，通常搭配介词of或定语使用。
作“硬化过程/行为”解时通常不可数；复数 hardenings 多用于指具体的硬化类型或现象。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.