What is recrystallization?

Recrystallization is the process in which deformed grains of the crystal structure are replaced by a new set of stress-free grains that nucleate and grow until all the original grains have been consumed. The process is accomplished by heating the material to temperatures above that of crystallization.

In chemistry, recrystallization is a technique used to purify chemicals. By dissolving both impurities and a compound in an appropriate solvent, either the desired compound or impurities can be removed from the solution, leaving the other behind.