Transverse crack in heat-affected zone

Transverse cracks in the heat-affected zone occur across the welding direction and are usually the result of cooling too fast, hard structure, or hydrogen in the material. The problem is that the material then becomes brittle and cracks under stress – often only after welding. To avoid this, you need to slow down cooling and keep hydrogen input low. That means: clean material, dry additives, and don't weld too cold. If you reheat the area after welding, the hydrogen can diffuse out and the risk drops significantly.