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Martensitic diffusionless transformation

A shear-based lattice transformation without thermally activated atomic jumps, triggered by rapid cooling from the high-temperature range. It produces highly stressable tetragonal supersaturated solid solutions with greatly increased hardness and brittleness.

Martensite forms when steel cools quickly. The lattice distorts, making the material hard and brittle. In welding, this means: if the weld cools too fast, you get cracks, often right after welding. You have to slow down the cooling, for example by preheating or welding slower. If it feels too cracky, heat the part up or don't leave the weld under tension.

MetallurgieSchweißtechnik

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