Final answer:
Preheating and postheating are heat treatment processes used in alloy steel to reduce stresses and enhance quality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Preheating and postheating are heat treatment processes used to modify the properties of alloy steel.
Preheating involves heating the steel to a specific temperature before performing another heat treatment process, such as welding or hardening. This helps to minimize the chance of cracking and improves the overall quality of the weld or heat treatment.
Postheating, on the other hand, involves heating the steel after the initial heat treatment process. It is done to relieve stresses that may have built up during the process. This helps to reduce residual stresses and prevents distortion or cracking in the final product.
In summary, preheating and postheating are important steps in heat treatment processes for alloy steel. They help reduce initial and residual stresses, enhance the quality of welds or heat treatment, and prevent cracking or distortion.
Learn more about Preheating and postheating in alloy steel