Thermomechanically Induced Stress Relaxation

Stress relaxation means in plain terms: after welding, you bring the component to a certain temperature and hold it there so that internal stresses in the structure are relieved. This happens through slow material flow, without mechanical deformation. If you skip this or cool too quickly, the stress remains, the part becomes hard and can crack later. So: after welding, heat up in a controlled manner, hold the temperature, then cool down slowly. Watch out for distortion; you can compensate if necessary with the flame or by clamping.