What effect does annealing have on metal?

Annealing is a heat treatment process used to alter the physical and sometimes chemical properties of a material, particularly metals. When a metal is annealed, it is heated to a specific temperature and then allowed to cool slowly. This process is primarily designed to relieve internal stresses in the metal, which can arise from processes like cold working or welding.

The key effect of annealing is that it makes the metal more malleable. With increased malleability, the metal can be shaped and deformed more easily without cracking, allowing for improved workability in further processing or fabrication. This greater malleability is a result of changes in the microstructure of the metal, where dislocations within the crystal structure are rearranged and reduced.

The increase in malleability contributes significantly to the metal's ability to be worked into desired shapes and forms in industrial and artistic applications. Thus, the option indicating that annealing makes the metal more malleable accurately describes the primary benefit and purpose of the annealing process.