What is the primary purpose of heat treatment processes in metals?

The primary purpose of heat treatment processes in metals is to alter their physical and often chemical properties. Heat treatment involves controlled heating and cooling of metals to achieve desirable characteristics such as increased hardness, improved ductility, enhanced strength, and better fatigue resistance.

Processes like annealing, quenching, and tempering specifically target the microstructure of the metal, leading to significant changes in its behavior under stress or temperature variations. By manipulating these properties, manufacturers can produce metals that meet specific requirements for various applications.

While improving surface finish, increasing electrical conductivity, and reducing manufacturing costs are important aspects in the broader context of material processing, they are not the main objectives of heat treatment. The primary focus of such processes is to enhance the fundamental mechanical and physical characteristics of the metal itself.