Heat Affected Cutting Zone
The heat-affected zone is the area around the joint where the metal cools slowly and microstructural changes occur. Residual stresses arise here, which can lead to cracks.
Physicochemical Mechanism of Action
The heat-affected zone is the area around the joint where the metal cools slowly and microstructural changes occur. Residual stresses arise here, which can lead to cracks.
Metallurgical Relevance & Risks in Welding
In the heat-affected zone, the metal can transform to different microstructures, leading to stress buildup. These stresses can cause hot cracking and distortion in the material. Too fast cooling can make the metal glass-hard and more prone to cracking.
Workshop Practice & Action Guidelines
To minimize risks in the heat-affected zone, controlled cooling should be ensured. This can be achieved by using cooling water or special cooling dies. The cooling rate should be set so that the metal does not cool too quickly to avoid glass-hard structures. Recommended cooling times are 10 to 20 seconds per cm of steel thickness.