What is the annealing process in metalworking?

The annealing process in metalworking is defined as the heating of metal followed by a slow cooling. This process is crucial for altering the physical and sometimes chemical properties of the metal. When metal is heated, its internal structure changes, reducing hardness and increasing ductility. This allows the material to be more workable and less likely to break during further processing or use. The slow cooling is essential because it helps to relieve internal stresses that have developed during previous processing, which can enhance the metal's overall performance and durability.

Other processes in the options relate to different techniques used in metalworking and materials manipulation, such as welding, glazing, or surface treatment, but they do not describe the annealing method itself. Thus, option B is the accurate representation of the annealing process.