welding term (anneal)

ANELE - What does it mean, what causes it, and how do you prevent it from happening? Any help would be appreciated. Dave from PA

When you anele a metal you are making it softer. mainly it is a process that allows you to machine hardend metals. after machining you need to have your part re-heat treated back to where it was before you had it aneled. It basically is a temporing process. In welding I guess it could be done by allowing a metal to cool slowly, or by quenching in oil. fast quenching in cold water will temper a metal harder, but at the same time make it brittle. I think this is right. Anyone else jump in if I'm not exactly right. CHUCK

The correct spelling is ANNEAL. A websearch will turn up several sites which explain the process.

I want to thank Chuck and Tom for their responses. I haven't found any web sites yet to look at. Are you saying that when you weld a hardened metal that you must cool it very slowly to prevent it from becoming soft? I am welding a grade 80 steel which is supposed to be 80,000 tensile strength. I am hoping when I am finished welding it, it will have the same strength. Thanks, Dave

DAVE: Your going to have to get an answer from a good welder for that question. I can weld, but I'm not a PRO. Nothing Too technical. All I was trying to do was explain what annealing was, as simple as I could. There are some real PRO'S out there, and they'll have the answer for this. CHUCK

Hi As I understand it tensile strength is how many lbs it would take to pull the metal in two by pulling it apart fastened at each end. Hardness is how the metal is compounded and does not do to much to change tensile strenght. Bob

Here's a site with many metal working links and pathways to more links. I think I learned about it here.

http://www.metalwork.0catch.com/list.htm

Your specific questions both have answers that may lie within the field of modern blacksmithing and welding. You speak of welding "hardened" metal. I wonder if you mean you're welding an alloy steel. At any rate, if one reads a welding textbook, there will likely be a considerable section relating to the metallurgy of steels, welds, and welded metals. I have purchased several at used bookstores.

Your questions lead to more questions, which is great.

Sounds like some fun going on!! John

That grade 80 steel can be tricky stuff. depending on thickness and many other conditions special proceedures must be used. You will certainly need 80,000 lb filler metal, if you are using mig, special/applicable sheilding gas will be required. If you are using stick you may require pre and post heating to very accurate closely held temperatures, also these are low hydrogen rods and MUST come from a sealed can, and be kept in an oven. There can be a lot too welding high alloy steels, Al

Check your local library to see if they have a copy of AWS D1.1 available. It will give you the necessary preheat and post heat needed for the section you are welding. It is a book about 1.5" thick and can be difficult reading as it is written in "welder-ese". Best of luck - Mike