This article was updated April 26, 2023. It was originally published Oct. 12, 2018. Heat treatments let engineers and metallurgists tailor the properties of metal parts so that they are a better fit ...

The properties of steel can be improved in terms of fatigue, weldability, hardness, wear and corrosion resistance, ductility, and tensile strength by either alloy addition or heat treatment processes.

Used variously to soften, relieve internal stresses, improve machinability and to develop particular mechanical and physical properties. In special silicon steels used for transformer laminations ...