Yield-to-Tensile Ratio
The ratio of yield strength to tensile strength of a metal. A high value indicates a lower strain-hardening reserve and increases the risk of fracture.
Physical-Chemical Mechanism
Yield strength is the maximum stress at which a material remains elastically deformable. Tensile strength indicates how much force per area the material can withstand before breaking. The ratio of these two values shows how much further the material can work-harden before it suddenly fractures.
Metallurgical Relevance & Welding Risks
A high yield-to-tensile ratio means the material starts to crack at low stress. This increases the risk of hot cracks and fractures in the weld. For metals with a high ratio, it is especially important to control cooling to stabilize the structure.
Workshop Practice & Actions
To minimize the risk of fractures, for metals with a high yield-to-tensile ratio:
• Control cooling more slowly (e.g., by using cooling water).
• Optimize welding time to stabilize the structure.
• If needed, apply a post-weld treatment like austenitizing to make the material softer and more formable.