annealing

noun

Pronunciation: /əˈniːlɪŋ/

Definition

Heating a material and then cooling it slowly to remove internal stresses and increase its ductility or toughness.

Examples

• The blacksmith performed the annealing process to make the steel blade less brittle.

• Proper annealing is essential when working with high-quality laboratory glassware.

• Copper wire undergoes annealing during manufacturing to ensure it remains flexible for electrical use.

Synonyms of annealing

Words with a similar meaning to annealing:

• tempering
• softening
• heat-treating
• stress-relieving

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