What does steel annealing mean

Steel annealing is a kind of steel heat treatment process that the steel is slowly heated to a certain temperature, kept for enough time, and then cooled at an appropriate speed.

The annealing heat treatment of steel can be divided into complete annealing, incomplete annealing and stress relief annealing. The mechanical properties of annealed materials can be tested by tensile test or hardness test. Many steel products are supplied in the state of annealing heat treatment. Rockwell hardness tester can be used to test HRB hardness of steel products. Surface Rockwell hardness tester can be used to test HRT hardness of thinner steel plates, steel strips and thin-walled steel pipes.

Annealing can make the steel have better properties. Its advantages are as follows:
① To improve or eliminate all kinds of structural defects and residual stress in the process of casting, forging, rolling and welding, and to prevent deformation and cracking of the workpiece.
② Soften the workpiece for cutting.
③ The mechanical properties of the workpiece can be improved by refining the grain and improving the microstructure.
④ Prepare for the final heat treatment (quenching and tempering).