Solution annealing is a heat treatment process used in the metallurgical industry to reduce the hardness and increase the ductility of certain metals. This process involves heating the metal to a high temperature and holding it there for a specific amount of time before cooling it slowly. There are several synonyms for solution annealing, including thermal treatment, heat treatment, annealing, stress relief, and normalization. All of these terms refer to processes used to alter the microstructure of metals, allowing them to better handle stress and strain. Each process involves different temperatures and cooling rates, but they all accomplish the same goal of improving the ductility and strength of metal components.