Annealing Stainless Steel Spoons

Here we demonstrate the concept of annealing metals using stainless steel spoons. The concepts of work hardening and dislocations in metal are also introduced!
You can find more info about the experiment here: www.thenakedsc.... They also have some handy tips on how to do this yourself at home!
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Still images taken from: www.steelforge....
www.nature.com/...
www.geology.um....
Music: www.purple-plan...

[@rid023]

How can I avoid bluing of steel at high temperatures?

[@biagiolobianco370]

After annealing and resetting the structure aren't you starting over when bending the second time?

[@thefroddd]

Bad

[@gerry5134]

Did you let spoon cool slowly or quench it ??

[@zachmalsberg7130]

Most forms of rapid cooling cause metal to become more hard and thus more brittle than if it was allowed to cool slowly.

[@JohnDavis-yz9nq]

@@zachmalsberg7130 regular metal with carbon content yes but stainless is a whole different deal. Copper is annealed by getting it hot and quenching immediately. I drill a lot of stainless and occasionally I will run across a spot in the stainless that is work hardened. I’ve tried heating it and letting it cool slowly but no success. A brand new drill bit still will not touch it.

[@bethmcbride5870]

Beautifully explained man!!!

[@JohnDavis-yz9nq]

How long do you need to keep it at the critical stage with the heat?