Crater Crack Prevention Calculator
Assess crater crack risk and get termination technique recommendations.
Crater Crack Susceptibility by Material
| Material | Susceptibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | High | Wide freezing range |
| Austenitic SS | Medium-High | Hot cracking tendency |
| Nickel Alloys | Medium | Sulfur segregation |
| Carbon Steel | Low-Medium | Dependent on C content |
| Ferritic SS | Low | Good resistance |
Understanding Crater Cracks
What Causes Crater Cracks?
- Shrinkage: Crater solidifies inward, creating tensile stresses at center
- Concave Shape: Depression creates stress concentration
- Segregation: Low melting point constituents concentrate at crater center
- Rapid Cooling: Fast arc extinction = fast cooling = high stress
Prevention Methods
- Crater Fill Function: Gradually reduce current while maintaining arc
- Backstep Technique: Reverse direction at termination, weld over crater
- Run-off Tabs: Terminate weld on sacrificial tab
- Multiple Short Arcs: SMAW technique - restrike multiple times to fill crater
Crater Shape Index
CSI = Width / Depth. Lower values indicate deeper, more crack-prone craters. Target CSI > 2.0 for minimum risk.