Tempering Embrittlement
Temper brittleness is an embrittlement of alloyed steels at certain tempering temperatures or slow cooling due to segregation of trace elements at grain boundaries. This leads to unwanted cracking and reduces strength.
Physical-Chemical Mechanism
During welding, alloyed steels can segregate companion elements at grain boundaries at certain tempering temperatures or during slow cooling. This leads to uneven stresses and embrittlement.
Metallurgical Relevance & Welding Risks
Temper embrittlement can cause unwanted cracking and loss of strength, especially in critical components. This increases the risk of fractures and reduces the material's service life.
Workshop Practice & Action Items
To avoid temper embrittlement, the following measures should be taken:
• Use appropriate welding processes with optimal parameters (e.g., correct temperature and speed).
• Ensure that cooling is controlled and not too slow.
• Regularly check the material for segregation and embrittlement.