To avoid brittleness in welding, which process is commonly used for stress relief?

Tempering is commonly used to avoid brittleness in welded materials. After a welding process, especially with materials like steels, the heat can cause changes in the microstructure of the weld and the heat-affected zone, leading to increased brittleness. Tempering involves heating the material to a temperature below its critical point and then cooling it down. This process reduces the hardness achieved during the quenching stage and promotes ductility, thereby alleviating internal stresses that can contribute to brittleness and fracture.

By carefully controlling the tempering process, it allows for the adjustment of the material's mechanical properties, making it more suitable for applications where toughness and resilience are essential. This is particularly important in welded components where both strength and the ability to withstand dynamic loads without fracturing are crucial.