ABSTRACT
A.fraction.of.the.energy.expended.during.deformation.is.stored.within.the.metal. as.crystal.lattice.defects,.mainly.dislocations..At.ambient.temperature,.this.causes. strain (work) hardening.of.metals..The.strain-hardened.state.of.the.deformed.structure. is. thermodynamically. unstable.. The. stored. energy. can. be. released. and. the. original.structure.and.properties.can.be.partially.or.completely.restored.by.heating. (annealing). to. elevated. temperature. through. two. main. softening mechanisms:. recovery and.recrystallization.
