only true if it doesn[t exceed critical temps and then is allowed to cool to. establish the internal molecular structure. There are also then multiple zones where the structure has been effected, a transition zone, and an internal zone where it retains it’s original microstructure. Same is true of welds.
Steel heated becomes more malleable.
Steel over-heated will not retain load bearing capacity
forgot to add - unless significant stress releasing is conducted - heat treated is more brittle then untreated.
(Sighs). I meant while it the steel is *still hot*.
(PhD in molecular physics, btw.)