Processes like casting or bending can often affect the structure. So, annealing is used to fix these small defects and align the structure. Three key changes happen during this process:
Atomic Migration: Heat gives the atoms energy, allowing them to move around and rearrange into a more orderly pattern.
Dislocation Reduction: Dislocations are tiny tangles in the crystal structure that make the metal harder and brittle. During annealing, these tangles are reduced, resulting in a softer metal.
Microstructural Changes: The small crystals known as grains form and fix the structure of the metal, making it more stable.
