GATE ME 2020 Set 1 — Question 21

MCQ+1 / -0.33EasyAnnealing, Normalizing & HardeningHeat TreatmentEngineering MaterialsTempering & Case Hardening

Engineering Materials → Heat Treatment → Annealing, Normalizing & Hardening

Last updated 5 September 2026

Question

Match the following. Heat treatment process Effect P: Tempering 1. Strengthening Q: Quenching 2. Toughening R: Annealing 3. Hardening S: Normalizing 4. Softening

Correct answer (A) P-2, Q-3, R-4, S-1 Solution The correct matches are: P: Tempering matches with 2. Toughening : Tempering is done to reduce the brittleness of quenched steel and increase its toughness. Q: Quenching matches with 3. Hardening : Quenching (rapid cooling) results in the formation of martensite, which significantly increases hardness. R: Annealing matches with 4. Softening : Annealing involves slow cooling to relieve internal stresses and soften the material for better machinability. S: Normalizing matches with 1. Strengthening : Normalizing refines the grain structure and improves the mechanical properties, including strength, compared to annealing. Turn this into a strength. Explore AI-powered practice and doubt support with Success Tracker.

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Correct answer (A) P-2, Q-3, R-4, S-1 Solution The correct matches are: P: Tempering matches with 2. Toughening : Tempering is done to reduce the brittleness of quenched steel and increase its toughness. Q: Quenching matches with 3. Hardening : Quenching (rapid cooling) results in the formation of martensite, which significantly increases hardness. R: Annealing matches with 4. Softening : Annealing involves slow cooling to relieve internal stresses and soften the material for better machinability. S: Normalizing matches with 1. Strengthening : Normalizing refines the grain structure and improves the mechanical properties, including strength, compared to annealing.

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