What is a common outcome of the annealing process?

The annealing process is a heat treatment technique used primarily to alter the physical and sometimes chemical properties of a material, usually metals and glass. A common outcome of annealing is the improvement of mechanical properties, which includes enhancements such as increased ductility, reduced hardness, and stress relief.

During annealing, the material is heated to a specific temperature and then allowed to cool slowly. This heating and resulting thermal treatment allow for the rearrangement of dislocations within the material's crystalline structure and the reduction of internal stresses. As a result, the material becomes more workable and exhibits better mechanical performance, making it less prone to fractures and easier to shape.

The other options suggest negative outcomes that are typically not associated with the annealing process. For instance, an increase in brittleness contradicts the objective of annealing, which is to improve ductility. Similarly, a decrease in temperature tolerance and a reduction in environmental resistance would imply that the material's performance is being compromised, which is not the intent or result of effective annealing practices.