If steel is heated to a temperature well below red hot and is then cooled slowly, the process is called

Options

A. Tempering
B. Hardening
C. Softening
D. Annealing

Explanation

To solve the question, we need to identify the correct term for the process described when steel is heated to a temperature well below red hot and then cooled slowly.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Heating Process**:
- Steel can undergo various heating processes, and the temperature at which it is heated plays a significant role in determining the resulting properties of the steel.

2. **Identifying the Temperature Range**:
- The question specifies that the steel is heated to a temperature "well below red hot." This indicates that the steel is not being heated to its maximum temperature, which would be typically associated with processes like hardening.

3. **Cooling Method**:
- The steel is then cooled slowly. The cooling rate is crucial in determining the final properties of the steel. Slow cooling generally allows for more uniform microstructure development.

4. **Recognizing the Process**:
- The process of heating steel to a temperature below red hot and then cooling it slowly is known as **tempering**. This process is used to improve the toughness of the steel after it has been hardened.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the answer to the question is that the process is called **tempering**.

### Final Answer:
The process is called **tempering**.