Hot crack

A hot crack is a crack that forms during welding or casting due to high temperatures and internal stresses. This type of crack typically occurs near the weld seam or in the area of casting structures and is often caused by inadequate cooling, excessive heat input, or insufficient material composition. Hot cracks usually develop when the material solidifies in a so-called "thick solid phase," and the stresses cannot be relieved.

Hot cracks can significantly weaken the structure and are therefore a critical factor in quality control during the manufacturing of metal parts. To prevent hot cracks, appropriate welding and casting techniques, as well as material compositions, are used.