← Glossary

Heat Treatment Crack

A crack caused by uneven heat treatment or too rapid cooling. Local tensile stresses exceed the material's momentary strength.

Physical-chemical mechanism of action

Heat treatment cracks occur due to uneven heating and cooling of materials. During rapid cooling, local tensile stresses can arise that exceed the material's instantaneous strength and lead to cracks.

Metallurgical relevance & risks in welding

These cracks can occur in weld seam areas when the material is not cooled uniformly. They lead to reduced toughness and increase the risk of hot cracks and fractures.

Workshop practice & instructions

To avoid heat treatment cracks, controlled cooling is essential. For steel parts, use a cooling blanket or let them cool in an enclosed space. Ensure uniform heating and cooling during heat treatment.

MetallurgieSchweißtechnik

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