What is "Cracking Hardbanding" and Why Does it Crack?

Cracking hardbanding describes a hardbanding product that exhibits what is referred to in the hardfacing world as “check relief cracking”. “Check relief cracking” occurs when low-melting phases form over grain boundaries as the molten weld puddle cools. In other words, a specific type of carbide forms on the grain boundaries of the microstructure that create stress as the material cools immediately after being deposited on the parent metal – as a result, fine cracks form. Hardfacing materials that exhibit cracking cannot be used for structural uses, though for abrasion or wear resistance they are widely acceptable, as in the case of hardbanding for tool joint and other drill string component applications.