Elongation at fracture
Elongation at break is the percentage of elongation of a tensile specimen before it breaks. It shows the formability and toughness of a material.
Physical-Chemical Mechanism of Action
Elongation at break describes how much a material can be deformed without breaking. It is a measure of the elastic and plastic deformability of the material.
Metallurgical Relevance & Risks in Welding
A high elongation at break indicates good toughness and formability, which leads to a robust and flexible weld in welded joints. A low elongation at break value can lead to premature cracking or deformation, especially under mechanical load.
Workshop Practice & Instructions
To ensure good elongation at break, pay attention to the correct welding temperature and time. For steels, too rapid cooling (short t8/5 time) is dangerous as it leads to hard martensite, which reduces elongation at break. Too long a cooling time can coarsen the structure and reduce toughness. When selecting the material, consider the desired elongation at break value for the specific application.