Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

annealing

noun
/əˈniːlɪŋ/
Definition
The process of heating and cooling a material to remove internal stresses and improve its properties.
Examples
  • After the metal was shaped, it underwent annealing to ensure it was stress-free.
  • The glassmaker used annealing techniques to avoid cracks as the glass cooled.
  • Annealing is a critical step in the manufacturing of strong alloys.
Meaning
Annealing is often used in metallurgy and glassmaking to make materials more workable and to enhance their strength and durability.
Synonyms
  • Tempering
  • Softening
  • Relaxation