Which process involves applying force to material at elevated temperatures to change its shape without breaking?

The process that involves applying force to material at elevated temperatures to change its shape without breaking is known as hot working. In this process, the material is heated to a temperature that is typically above its recrystallization temperature. This elevated temperature allows the material to deform plastically and flow under the applied force, which results in a change in shape while preventing fracture.

Hot working is beneficial because it reduces the yield strength of the material, making it easier to shape and form. Additionally, it can enhance the ductility and toughness of the material, allowing for the creation of complex shapes and structures. The use of heat during the process also reduces work hardening effects, which can limit the deformation capabilities of a material if it were worked at lower temperatures.

In contrast, cold working involves shaping the material at or near room temperature, which leads to strain hardening and can make the material more brittle and difficult to shape. Sintering is a process where particles are bonded together through heat without melting, primarily for powders. Annealing is a heat treatment process aimed at relieving internal stresses and improving ductility, but it does not specifically involve applying force to change shape.