"The Weld Crystallized!"
by Paul Ipolito
(Rochester NY)
Dear Elia- regarding the "cut pie" welder's concern regarding weld "crystallization"- I wish I had a dollar for everytime a well-meaning welder has told me about a weld crystallizing. I would have retired years ago. It bothers me that the misnomer has endured for so many years and it is a sign to me that the welder has not had even rudimentary instruction in welding metallurgy. Of course, you do not need to be a Materials Scientist to be a good welder, but shouldn't the most basic facts about the metals one is working on be known ? Yes, this is a minor detail, but to me it shows that we as an industry do not train and prepare welders correctly. I hope this opens some good discussion amongst your readership.