Nucleation-Controlled Recrystallization

Recrystallization has nothing directly to do with welding at first – it's an annealing process. After welding, the structure in the heat-affected zone may be altered, and if you stress-relieve the component, new, stress-free grains can form. That makes the material tougher again and less prone to cracking. It's important not to cool down too quickly, otherwise the state remains hard and brittle. Let the part cool slowly or carry out a heat treatment if the drawing requires it. And remember: too much heat during welding itself causes the stresses that you later have to get rid of.