What processes can increase the deformation resistance of steel?

Adding alloying elements and hardening are effective ways to increase the deformation resistance of steel. Alloying elements such as chromium, nickel, molybdenum, and vanadium can significantly enhance the strength and toughness of steel, allowing it to withstand greater forces without deforming. Additionally, hardening processes like quenching introduce internal stresses within the steel's microstructure, resulting in a stronger and more resistant material. By altering the composition and utilizing specific heat treatment processes, the overall mechanical properties of steel can be improved, leading to increased resistance to deformation.

The other options do not provide the same level of enhancement for deformation resistance. For instance, while welding and casting are processes used to shape steel into desired forms, they do not inherently increase its strength or resistance to deformation. Similarly, tempering and shaping can help relieve internal stresses or alter the shape but would not necessarily focus on improving resistance to deformation. Finally, annealing and cooling are primarily methods to reduce brittleness and improve ductility rather than directly increasing deformation resistance.