A joint with a steep torque rate: stiff metal-to-metal parts with no gaskets or springs let torque climb from snug to target in a small fraction of a turn. Its opposite, the soft joint, includes gaskets, compressible washers or long bolts and needs several hundred degrees of rotation. Tool choice and tightening strategy depend on the difference, since impact and pulse tools overshoot on hard joints and soft joints relax quickly after tightening.
That's a hard joint, steel on steel, so the tool has to downshift for the last thirty degrees or it overshoots every time.
Related terms
Rundown
One complete tightening cycle by a powered tool on an assembly line, from first thread to final torque or angle.
Nut runner
A powered tightening spindle, handheld or fixtured, that drives nuts and bolts to a controlled torque or angle.
Rattle gun
Shop nickname for an impact wrench, from the hammering racket it makes running fasteners on and off.
Embedment
Preload lost soon after tightening as surface roughness under the head, nut and threads flattens out.