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Ferritic-pearlitic microstructure

The standard microstructure of unalloyed structural steels in the normalized condition. It combines the ductility of ferrite with the strength of pearlite for versatile engineering uses.

Normalizing lets the structure transform into ferrite and pearlite. Ferrite is soft and easy to form, pearlite gives the steel strength. When you weld such steel, you have to watch the cooling. Cooling too fast makes the material hard and brittle, cooling too slow makes the grain coarse. Bring the part down slowly and evenly after welding, then the structure stays calm and you won't get cracks or distortion.

MetallurgieSchweißtechnik

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