Weld Metal Solidification Cracking (WMSC) in Ferritic Steels

Abstract

Weld metal solidification cracking commonly occurs in nickel alloys, aluminium alloys and austenitic stainless steels. Referring to ferritic steels, WMSC rarely occurs in mild steel but often creates problems in the welding of quenched and tempered steels. With the increasing use of high heat input welding of thick sections under heavy restraint, this form of cracking is becoming more frequent in C-Mn steels.