Welding Metallurgy, Part 2: Physical Properties: The physical properties of a metal can have a marked effect on the process of welding

摘要

The following is the second in a series of three articles designed to help inspectors better understand why certain conditions occur during welding. Rysical properties are classified as those characteristics of a material that describe its interaction with various forms of energy and with other forms of matter. The physical properties are usually measured without destroying or changing the material. There is no external loading force applied as is common in defining or testing mechanical properties as was discussed in Part 1 (Inspection Trends, Winter 2007). These properties are related to the atomic structure and include coefficient of linear expansion, density, electrical and thermal conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, melting temperature, and reflectivity.