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The term “balling” has two distinct meanings in different contexts:
- Balling in Cementite: This refers to a metallurgical phenomenon in steels during prolonged annealing at temperatures typically between 650°C to 700°C. During this process, carbon atoms diffuse within the steel structure and aggregate to form spherical or ball-like clusters within the cementite phase of the steel. This clustering can affect the mechanical properties of the steel, including its hardness and toughness.
- Balling in Puddling Furnace: In another context, “balling” refers to the process of forming iron into balls during the puddling process in a puddling furnace. Puddling is a method of converting pig iron into wrought iron by subjecting it to intense heat and stirring in the presence of oxidizing agents. The iron balls formed in this process were then worked further to produce wrought iron.
These definitions highlight how “balling” is used in metallurgy to describe different phenomena related to steel production processes involving high temperatures and material transformation.
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