The scientific term for heating metal and then rapidly cooling is quenching.

Here's a breakdown:

* Heating: This process is called tempering or annealing, depending on the specific goal.

* Rapid Cooling: This is the quenching part. It involves immersing the heated metal in a cooling medium, typically water, oil, or air.

This process is often used in metallurgy to alter the microstructure and properties of the metal, making it harder, stronger, or more resilient.