Archive

Category: CALIDAD

WHAT IS UNDERCUT? A DEFECT OR DISCONTINUITY.

Undercut is a surface discontinuity that occurs in the base metal directly adjacent to the weld bead; depending…

# SPATTER IN WELDING: WHY DOES IT OCCUR?

Spatter is a defect that occurs in welding processes where metal transfer takes place through an electric arc.…

SYMBOLS IN WELDING, A COMMUNICATION CHANNEL.

Symbology is a very important communication channel between the design department and the manufacturing department, which is why…

# CRACKS IN WELDING — WHY DO THEY OCCUR? Cracking is one of the most serious discontinuities that can occur in a weld joint, as it significantly compromises the mechanical integrity of the structure. Cracks can appear in the weld metal itself or in the heat-affected zone (HAZ), and their origin is associated with a combination of metallurgical, mechanical, and procedural factors. — ## MAIN CAUSES OF CRACKING IN WELDING ### 1. High Carbon or Alloy Content in the Base Metal When the base metal has a high carbon equivalent (CE), the HAZ becomes susceptible to forming hard, brittle microstructures such as martensite, which are prone to cracking — particularly hydrogen-induced cold cracking (HICC), also known as underbead cracking or delayed cracking. ### 2. Presence of Diffusible Hydrogen Hydrogen is one of the primary causes of cracking in welding. It can be introduced through: – Moisture in the flux or electrode coating – Contamination on the base metal surface

Cracks are considered the most critical discontinuity; due to their elongated shape, they can cause serious problems in…

TESTS FOR WELD INSPECTIONS – NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING (NDT)

Quality is undoubtedly a predominant factor in every weld joint. Welders’ responsibilities are not only focused on producing…