← Glossary

Grain refinement via alloy additions

Alloying additions like silicon or nickel promote nucleation during solidification, which refines the grain and increases strength.

Physicochemical mechanism of action

Alloying additions like silicon or nickel act as nucleation elements. They promote the formation of new crystal nuclei, leading to a finer grain structure.

Metallurgical relevance & welding risks

A finer grain structure increases the strength and toughness of the material. However, excessive alloying can lead to melting issues or excessive hardness, causing cracks and fractures.

Workshop practice & action instructions

Use alloying additions in the weld melts at the specified content. For steel with silicon: 0.15% to 0.30%. Monitor the cooling rate carefully to achieve optimal grain refinement.

MetallurgieSchweißtechnik

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