Transverse shrinkage
Transverse shrinkage is the contraction of components across the welding direction during cooling. It is caused by uneven expansion and contraction of different metal components under the influence of temperature.
Physical-Chemical Mechanism of Action
Transverse shrinkage occurs when different metal components expand differently during welding heating and contract differently during cooling. This happens because metals expand their atomic structure under heat and contract again when cooling.
Metallurgical Relevance & Risks in Welding
Transverse shrinkage can cause mechanical stresses that damage or deform components. It can also lead to stress buildup and cracks in the weld, especially if the components are not properly sized.
Workshop Practice & Instructions
To minimize transverse shrinkage, consider it during design for dimensions and joint fit-up. This means components should be sized slightly larger than the final dimension. A typical allowance is about 0.5 to 1 mm per meter of component length. Additionally, it is important to clamp the weld in a straight and rigid manner to ensure uniform cooling.