Dilution Rate
The dilution rate is the ratio of melted base material to the total weld metal volume. It affects the chemical composition and hardness of the weld.
Physicochemical Mechanism of Action
The dilution rate describes the proportion of melted base material in the total weld metal volume. A high dilution rate means a lot of base material in the melt, which promotes diffusion of filler materials and exchange processes.
Metallurgical Relevance & Welding Risks
A dilution rate that is too high can lead to an uneven chemical composition of the weld, resulting in distortion and hardness variations in the workpiece. A dilution rate that is too low prevents sufficient diffusion of filler materials and can lead to missing properties.
Shop Practice & Action Guidelines
To optimize the dilution rate, control the welding temperature and the weld metal volume. For steels with high carbon content, the dilution rate should be between 20% and 30%. Use a dilution rate of about 40% for high-performance applications. If issues with hardness or distortion occur, check the dilution rate and adjust the welding parameters.