← Glossary

Trace Element Poisoning

Trace element poisoning causes brittle fracture due to accumulation of small amounts of foreign elements at grain boundaries.

Physicochemical Mechanism of Action

Foreign elements such as sulfides, sulfur, or phosphorus can accumulate in the weld and impair the crystal structure of the metal. This changes the mechanical properties and leads to brittle fracture.

Metallurgical Relevance & Risks in Welding

Trace element poisoning can cause unexpected cracks and brittleness in the weld. This increases the risk of hot cracking and reduces the service life of the component.

Workshop Practice & Action Guidelines

Use clean filler materials and protect the weld from contact with trace elements. If suspected, carry out a chemical cleaning or choose metals with low sensitivity to trace elements.

MetallurgieSchweißtechnik

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