Weld Hardness Prediction Tool
A simplified engineering tool to estimate the maximum Vickers hardness (HV) in the Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ) of a steel weld.
Enter Material and Cooling Data
Provide the Carbon Equivalent and the t8/5 cooling time to predict the maximum HAZ hardness.
Why Predict Weld Hardness?
The hardness of a material is a good indicator of its strength and brittleness. In welding, if the Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ) becomes too hard, it also becomes very brittle and highly susceptible to cracking, especially hydrogen-induced cracking. Many welding codes and standards specify a maximum allowable hardness for the HAZ (e.g., 350 HV or 380 HV) to ensure the joint is safe. Predicting this hardness before welding allows engineers to adjust welding procedures (like increasing preheat to slow the cooling rate) to stay below this critical limit.