Final answer:
Cold working and annealing are processes that alter a metal's mechanical properties. Cold working increases strength and hardness, while annealing boosts ductility and relieves stress. Both are critical for metal shaping and stability in diverse applications.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cold working and annealing are manufacturing processes used to modify the properties of metals. Cold working strengthens metal by plastic deformation at temperatures below its recrystallization temperature. Examples include hammering and bending, which increase the tensile strength and hardness but can also make the metal brittle. Annealing, on the other hand, involves heating the metal to a specific temperature and then cooling it at a controlled rate. This heat treatment process reduces hardness, enhances ductility, and relieves internal stresses induced by cold working. The procedure often involves heating in a high-temperature oven to change the usual polycrystalline structure into one with larger single-crystal domains. Utilized in various applications, these processes are critical for shaping metal and enhancing its long-term stability in products ranging from industrial components to consumer goods.