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dan tull

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Posts: 66

Location: United States
Occupation: blacksmith,full time
Age: 79
#1   2011-06-22 10:02          
When you forge weld, what do the pieces look like in Xray? In other words, is it now homogenious? Will you be able to see a crack? Do the molecules really bypass one another?

Added 7 days later:

No one even looks at this site.

Added 2 days later:

See what I mean!

This post was edited by dan tull (2011-07-01 14:20, ago)

Dietrich Hoecht

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Posts: 51

Location: United States Clayton, GA
Occupation: piddles in metal, roams the woods
Age: 81
#2   2011-07-02 09:41          
Dan,
I don't want you to feel neglected, so I try my best to answer.
I have never seen an x-ray of a forge weld. However, I would guess the following: one, if the materials are not identical in composition the weld joint will be distinguished, especially when you polish, etch and view it with a loupe. Two, I'd say the joint is never really free of contaminants, so you will have inclusions of oxides. Therefore I would conclude - no - not homogeneous transition.
However, strengthwise it should never be a problem, assume you get an 80% of the theoretical strength. All mild steel that is used with forge welding will still yield substantially before breaking, therefore no concerns, with a typical safety factor of forged items of 2 to near infinite. Don't know much about such joinery with high/ low carbon or substantially alloyed ones, like tool steel.
Oh, yes, the molecules move and bypass. An interesting affirmation is the permanent 'weld' that is formed when you leave two pieces of joined precision gage blocks sit for a couple of days. You cannot separate them any more. The molecules have done their mating - and sexless at that. But, they started at a crack, after all. Sorry....

Dietrich

dan tull

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Posts: 66

Location: United States
Occupation: blacksmith,full time
Age: 79
#3   2011-07-02 15:33          
Thank you so much for an answer. I was sure this was gonna lay dormant.

lindahr

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Posts: 160

Location: United States
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Age: 73
#4   2011-07-02 16:45          
Dietrich, thanks for the logical explanation. And Dan, I do check the site at least every week, but I have been too busy with the day job I haven't had much to say. And there is rarely anything posted to respond to. But you're right, please somebody, tell us something! Like are we having a July meeting? Or an August meeting? I can't do it this year, but I was hoping someone would step up.

Linda
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