Crater Crack
A crater crack is a star-shaped or longitudinal crack at the end of a weld, caused by the abrupt breaking of the arc and the volume deficit during solidification. This leads to wear and corrosion.
Physical-Chemical Mechanism
A crater crack occurs when the arc breaks abruptly at the end of the weld and the subsequent solidification causes a volume deficit. This leads to high stress buildup in the material.
Metallurgical Relevance & Risks in Welding
A crater crack can lead to wear and corrosion, as it serves as an entry point for corrosive agents. It can also reduce the mechanical strength of the weld and lead to cracks or fractures.
Workshop Practice & Action Guidelines
To avoid crater cracks, it is important to ensure careful control of the arc at the end of the weld. This can be achieved by using fill passes or special welding parameters. Temperature and cooling behavior should also be precisely controlled to ensure uniform solidification.