Homogenization annealing

Homogenization annealing is annealing at very high temperatures keeping the temperature for a long period and any subsequent cooling.

The purpose of this treatment is to achieve regular material structures (s. Structure), i.e. compensating concentration differences in the work piece. However, it must be noted that it is not possible to compensate structure differences in the work piece but only in individual crystals (s. Crystallite).

The side effects which occur in this process include a high degree of scaling and marginal decarburization which can be avoided by working with Shielding gas or in a Vacuum, as well as intensive grain growth which must be rectified by additional heat treatment.

Additional references:
Annealing for carbide decomposition
Heat treatment