Austempering is a heat treatment process used primarily on iron and steel to improve their mechanical properties. It involves heating the metal to a specific temperature, then rapidly cooling it in a molten salt bath. This process transforms the metal's microstructure, resulting in increased toughness and reduced brittleness. The main goal of austempering is to create a phase called bainite, which offers a good balance of strength and ductility. This treatment is commonly applied in manufacturing components like gears and crankshafts, where durability and performance are essential.