What does interpass temperature refer to in welding?

Interpass temperature refers to the temperature maintained between passes during multi-pass welding. This concept is crucial in welding as it helps to control the microstructure and properties of the weld metal. During multi-pass welding, as each pass is applied, the heat can affect the previously deposited weld material, and maintaining an appropriate interpass temperature is essential to achieve desirable mechanical properties and avoid issues such as cracking or excessive distortion.

Monitoring and controlling the interpass temperature ensures that the metal does not cool too much before the next pass is added, which could lead to problems such as insufficient fusion between the passes or the introduction of stress in the weld joint. It's particularly important in processes involving high-strength materials that can be sensitive to heat input and cooling rates.