Annealing
A heat treatment process where a metal or glass is heated above its recrystallization temperature, held, and cooled slowly to relieve internal stresses and increase ductility.
Governing formula
Heat T > T_recrystallization, Slow Cool
SI unit
°C (Annealing Temperature)
In depth
Annealing allows thermal diffusion to eliminate work-hardening dislocation pileups and form new strain-free grain structures, softening cold-worked metals and restoring ductility.
Examples in the real world
Annealing work-hardened copper tubing to make it pliable and easy to bend during plumbing installation.