Describes metal in its softest state after a full anneal, such as low-carbon steel sheet around 40 to 60 HRB or copper and aluminum in the O temper. Dead-soft stock is ordered for deep drawing, tight bends and spinning. In a heat-treat shop it is also the target when a hardened tool has to be annealed for re-machining or rehardening.
Heard on the job
Anneal that die block dead soft so the toolroom can recut the cavity, then we'll reharden it.
Also heard as
- dead-soft
- fully annealed
Related terms
Annealing
Heating metal and cooling it slowly to soften it, relieve stress and make it easier to machine or form.
Spheroidizing
Long holds near the lower critical temperature that turn carbides into small round particles.
Rehard
To harden a part again after it misses hardness, usually after normalizing or annealing it first.