Spheroidize annealing is beneficial when subsequent machining and/or hardening is required (since the microstructure consists of rounded cementite particles in a ferrite matrix). The spheroidized condition is the true equilibrium state of the steel and is its softest condition. The spheroidized microstructure also ossesses good cold-forming characteristics. Generally, the larger the spheroids and the more distance between them, the greater the ability of the steel to be cold formed. The importance of prior condition in spheroidize nnealing applies to all steels regardless of carbon content, and the presence of coarse pearlite is ndesirable because of resistance to spheroidization