Dumb question about normalising

[Rob Browne]

I see reference to normalising but don't understand it. Annealing, hardening and tempering I understand but normalising??

Any help?

[metalliferous]

To normalize most steels, heat them to a little above their hardening temperature and let them air cool. This relieves internal stresses, refines the grain somewhat, and makes the steel the toughest it'll be.

[Phil Patrick]

Normalizing (to the best of my mind) is the basically a process in which by heating a piece of work to a non magnetic state, then letting it cool down to (about) room temp. Then repeating this a few times. The idea is that it will help relieve internal stresses built up in the work piece from forging, working etc. There are on here some folks that would probably explain it a bit better than myself. Do a search over in the knife/sword/pointy thing forums and I will bet you you will net some more complete info.

[Woody]

the normalizing process is a function of time held at temerature and then slow cooled. the normalizing temp and time is different for different types of steel. Many attempt to accomplish by repetition what is best done by holding the piece at the proper temperature for the required amount of time and then letting it air cool.

[Boyhowdy]

Normalizing is a type of heat treatment applicable to ferrous metals only. It differs from annealing in that the metal is heated to a higher temperature and then removed from the furnace for air cooling.