If steel is heated to a temperature well below red heat and is then cooled slowly, the process is called_________?

A. Annealing
B. Quenching
C. Tempering
D. Nitriding

¨       Annealing is a heat treatment process that involves heating a metal to a specific temperature and then cooling it slowly to achieve specific properties or characteristics. In the case of steel, annealing is typically done by heating the steel to a temperature well below red heat (around 700-900°C) and then allowing it to cool slowly in a furnace or other controlled environment.

¨       The purpose of annealing is to soften the steel, improve its machinability, and reduce internal stresses that can cause distortion or cracking during subsequent processing. Annealing can also improve the ductility and toughness of the steel and reduce its hardness.

¨       Quenching, on the other hand, involves heating the steel to a high temperature and then rapidly cooling it by quenching it in a liquid such as water or oil. This process is used to harden the steel and increase its strength, but it can also make the steel brittle and prone to cracking. Tempering is a process that follows quenching and involves heating the hardened steel to a lower temperature to reduce its brittleness and improve its toughness. Nitriding is a surface hardening process that involves diffusing nitrogen into the surface of the steel to increase its hardness and wear resistance.



Submitted by :- Jamil Ahmed

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