Annealing process of316 Stainless Steel Socket Threaded Fittings NPT 1.4401 coupling
Annealing is a heat treatment process mainly used to increase the ductility and reduce the hardness of the material. This change in hardness and ductility is the result of the reduction of dislocations in the crystal structure of the annealed material. Annealing is usually done after the material has undergone a hardening or cold working process to prevent its brittle failure or to make it easier to handle later.
As mentioned above, annealing is used to reduce hardness and increase ductility. Changing these mechanical properties by annealing is important for a number of reasons:
Annealing improves the formability of the material. Hard and brittle materials are difficult to bend or squeeze without breaking the material. Annealing helps eliminate this risk.
Annealing can also improve machinability. Extremely brittle materials can cause excessive tool wear. Reducing the hardness of the material by annealing can reduce the wear of the tools used.
Annealing removes residual stress. Residual stresses can create cracks and other mechanical complications, and it is usually best to eliminate them as much as possible.
