Dislocations are line defects that allow plastic deformation in metals by slipping along crystallographic planes. There are four main ways to strengthen metals: 1) reducing grain size, 2) solid solution strengthening, 3) precipitation strengthening, and 4) cold working. Cold working entangles dislocations and increases strength but decreases ductility. Annealing can reverse the effects of cold working by allowing dislocations to rearrange at elevated temperatures.