Precipitation Incubation Period
Incubation time of precipitation is the time until precipitation in a metal begins and spreads. It depends on temperature and the chemical environment.
Physicochemical mechanism of action
Incubation time of precipitation refers to the time during which precipitation in a metal begins and spreads. This process depends on the temperature and chemical environment of the material. At elevated temperatures, the activity of precipitation processes increases, shortening the incubation time.
Metallurgical relevance & risks during welding
Too short an incubation time can lead to faster and uncontrolled precipitation, causing porosity or unevenness in the metal structure. Too long an incubation time, on the other hand, can result in incomplete precipitation, leading to distortion or impurities in the weld.
Workshop practice & instructions
To ensure optimal incubation time for precipitation, the welding temperature must be precisely maintained. For steels with high precipitation content, it is important to increase temperature slowly and then cool slowly to allow controlled precipitation. The exact time and temperature vary depending on the metal type and welding process.