--
'
wrote in message
...
On Thu, 09 Dec 2004 03:01:54 +0000, Andy Dingley
wrote:

On Tue, 07 Dec 2004 22:30:00 GMT, wrote:

If
you look at a lot of blacksmith-made stuff, you'll see that they went
to considerable lengths to avoid welds in applications where failure
could threaten life. For example eyes in hooks were usually punched
rather than welded.

I disagree - they did this mainly because punching is easier and
quicker than welding, or because they knew (if didn't entirely
understand) that it was stronger that way. It wasn't because there was
an increased _risk_ if there was a failure at that point.


Forge welding of iron is reliable and the failure modes are benign in
comparison to the sudden failures of modern welded steels. If it was
going to fail, it's more likely to fail at a stress riser than at a
competent weld.

Forge welds are susceptible to failures from inclusions left in the
weld. Even an expert does this occasionally and sometimes it is
impossible to determine nondestructively without modern equipment.

--RC

Modern welds are susceptible to failures from inclusions left in the weld.
Even an expert does this occasionally and sometimes it is impossible to
determine without Xrays or other modern techniques.
Modern construction typically requires inspection of welds.

-j