FRACTURE MECHANICS CONSIDERATIONS OF HOT CRACKS.

Hot cracking is considered from the safety point of view, particularly in the coarse grained austenitic weld metals used in the chemical and nuclear industries. Operating conditions which cause an increase in defect size, i. e. neutron embrittlement, internal and external environment, temperature and mechanical stresses in vessels and piping are calculated as are burst pressure factors for circumferential welds.