Welding Meaning Crater. Creep The slow deformation for example elongation of a metal under prolonged stress. Crater pipe causes and prevention during welding.
Consequently conditions which exaggerate the liquid to solid volume change will promote its formation. While they can occur with all arc welding processes they are more prevalent with processes that are capable of higher deposition rates and producing larger weld puddles ie. Use of large electrode.
Not to be confused with deformation which results immediately upon application of a stress.
Crater cracks are normally shallow hot cracks usually forming single or star cracks. Welding methods that involve the melting of metal at the site of the joint necessarily are prone to shrinkage as the heated metal cools. These cracks usually start at a crater pipe and extend longitudinal in the crater. This crater results from the force of the arc and the contraction of melted metal when it cools and solidifies.