How to weld > How to avoid hydrogen cracking > About Hydrogen Cracks

Cracks formed in the weld metal

In general, cracks located in the weld metal are related to welding with high strength consumables. If cracks of this kind occur, the crack propagation is often restricted to the weld metal. Due to the stress distribution in the joint, their orientation is most commonly perpendicular to the direction of the same, see illustration below.

Example of a hydrogen cracks initiated in the weld metal.

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