Stress relief treatments are applied to parts before and during machining to provide better dimensional stability.  Stress relief is also applied to flame cut parts and cast parts to provide a small amount of softening in addition to the dimensional benefits.  Weldments are stress relieved to reduce the risk of cracking in the weld seam.  All of these treatments are performed in the temperature range of 1000 to 1250 ^oF in batch furnaces, either with or without protective atmosphere.