Annealing

Annealing involves heating steel to a specified temperature and then cooling at a very slow and controlled rate.

Annealing is commonly used to:

• Soften a metal for cold working
• Improve machinability
• Enhance electrical conductivity

Annealing also restores ductility. During cold working, the metal can become hardened to the extent that any more work will result in cracking. By annealing the metal beforehand, cold working can take place without any risk of cracking, as annealing releases mechanical stresses produced during machining or grinding.

Annealing is used for steel, however, other metals including copper, aluminum and brass can be subject to a process called solution annealed.