# An interesting deep dive into weld distortion **URL:** \ **Category:** Welding & Fabrication\ **Created:** [February 12, 2025, 4:01am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/an-interesting-deep-dive-into-weld-distortion/3363 "2025-02-12T04:01:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tcat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/41988e/32.png) [@tcat](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/tcat)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2025, 4:01am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/an-interesting-deep-dive-into-weld-distortion/3363/1 "2025-02-12T04:01:33Z")
[![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/d/d4426c7a43ec5ab0c7ceeced874ef85d899dcbdf.jpeg "Welding Distortion Explained Part 1: Principles") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1XPDzunbY0) 4 parts, about a half-hour each. A bold claim in Part 4 about the use of fixturing for tacking as opposed to welding. He uses some really clever mechanical strain gauges in a few of his experiments. ---
**Author:** ![wheelz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/db5fbb/32.png) [@wheelz](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/wheelz)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2025, 3:19pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/an-interesting-deep-dive-into-weld-distortion/3363/2 "2025-02-12T15:19:21Z")
That was very interesting… I am interested to see what others think about the claim that clamping to fixture tables should only be done for tacking. ---
**Author:** ![Fireball\_Jason](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/fireball_jason/32/52_2.png) [@Fireball\_Jason](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Fireball_Jason)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2025, 5:49pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/an-interesting-deep-dive-into-weld-distortion/3363/3 "2025-02-12T17:49:00Z")
I’ve had more success clamping my material than leaving it floating wile welding. I bet his results would of been different if it was a actual welded joint with two induvial parts. Great discussion on the topic though. ---
**Author:** ![Siemen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/siemen/32/2701_2.png) [@Siemen](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Siemen)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2025, 8:56pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/an-interesting-deep-dive-into-weld-distortion/3363/4 "2025-02-12T20:56:34Z")
I found these series super interesting to get a better understanding on weld distortion. I’d love to see him do more tests and experiments with actual joinery as Jason suggests. ---
**Author:** ![mfmatusky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4da419/32.png) [@mfmatusky](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/mfmatusky)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2025, 1:20am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/an-interesting-deep-dive-into-weld-distortion/3363/5 "2025-02-15T01:20:41Z")
I find it important to distinguish between the distortion from workpiece components heating/cooling and the distortion from just the weld cooling. That little bead of filler deposited very hot (and expanded!) grabs both sides of the parent material and pulls… sometimes like a demon. So tack one side, then tack the other to set two demons against each other. Once they are exhausted (i.e. cool) they will hold the two parents in (what is hopefully) the right relative positions. I would have liked to see an animation of the center bar of the truss expanding in volume (exaggerated width and thickness) to a bulge and then cooling with much of the bulge remaining and the two ends of the heat affected zone pulling (like demons again!) as the thicker (but shorter) center bar cools. I also would have liked some commentary on the changes in the crystal lattice structure of the steel as it is heated and cooled. Google this: “_Steel in Body centered cubic vs face centered cubic_” for some AI discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Buxtonsfabanddab](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/buxtonsfabanddab/32/4426_2.png) [@Buxtonsfabanddab](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Buxtonsfabanddab)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 5:28am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/an-interesting-deep-dive-into-weld-distortion/3363/6 "2025-07-14T05:28:37Z")
On the subject of distortion I’ve found a few additional YouTube videos I would like to contribute for those who are interested in the subject. Lincoln Electric " Prevention and Control of Distortion in Arc Welding" [![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/2/2cacfee55355ff46bde8b6d42e229d407a7db024.jpeg "Prevention and Control of Distortion in Arc Welding") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vuGlcbDwKY) The video suggests what occurs when materials are clamped or restricted, how the dimensions change…vs if left free. Jody Collier (Weldingtipsandtricks) “Welding Distortion Fundamentals” [![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/2/2d88e87dcf31726f8fde02e7e10c2a2370a80ab8.jpeg "Welding Distortion Fundamentals") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pf-qQDslhU) Dan R. Dalton “Heat Straightening of Bridge on 101 Freeway” [![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/6/61a495e8c262f1bb58d9903813015d6ad8276f52.jpeg "Dan R Dalton Heat Straightening of Bridge on 101 Freeway") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkiPgmET-gk) Brian Barnes “Heat Straightening Steel Square Tubing” [![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/d/d0154f61f60feb98f0e30c41d4eb6904a5b20153.jpeg "Heat Straightening Steel Square Tubing") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koMmqxeVCOM) Technoweld Training “Distortion in Welding” [![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/2/2c5d8a1b87feaad4d635ecb0c847e6bd56e79503.jpeg "Distortion in Welding") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABoD0llybPk) Bath Tech Welding “Welding Distortion Part 7 - Line Heat Repairs” [![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/7/780578c4f28a792ccd046591ec6910baf15df277.jpeg "Welding Distortion Part 7 - Line Heat Repairs") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDZQE30chBI) Enjoy the videos… ---
**Author:** ![Buxtonsfabanddab](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/buxtonsfabanddab/32/4426_2.png) [@Buxtonsfabanddab](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Buxtonsfabanddab)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 9:14pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/an-interesting-deep-dive-into-weld-distortion/3363/7 "2025-07-16T21:14:28Z")
Here are some additional articles on Distortion > **[18 principles to minimize distortion, Part I](https://www.canadianmetalworking.com/canadianfabricatingandwelding/article/welding/18-principles-to-minimize-distortion-part-i)** > > While distortion cannot be eliminated completely, implementing these 18 principles can help minimize it to an acceptable level. > **[18 principles to minimize distortion, Part II](https://www.canadianmetalworking.com/canadianfabricatingandwelding/article/welding/18-principles-to-minimize-distortion-part-ii)** > > While distortion cannot be eliminated completely, implementing these 18 principles can help minimize it to an acceptable level. [https://www.lincolnelectric.com/en/welding-and-cutting-resource-center/welding-how-tos/weld-distortion#:~:text=Distortion%20in%20a%20weld%20results,change%20as%20heat%20is%20applied](https://www.lincolnelectric.com/en/welding-and-cutting-resource-center/welding-how-tos/weld-distortion#:~:text=Distortion%20in%20a%20weld%20results,change%20as%20heat%20is%20applied). > **[Heat Control in Welding: How to Prevent Warping and Distortion](https://weldingtablesandfixtures.com/blogs/the-welders-blog/heat-control-in-welding-how-to-prevent-warping-and-distortion?srsltid=AfmBOorCHyAtGZUpbS6BEWrY2tSfEomlPBurt5CmNkmNdv1cetizx4o-)** > > One of the biggest challenges welders face, particularly when working on thin or heat-sensitive metals, is managing the heat input to prevent warping and distortion. When excessive heat is applied to a metal, it expands and contracts unevenly,... ---
**Author:** ![Buxtonsfabanddab](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/buxtonsfabanddab/32/4426_2.png) [@Buxtonsfabanddab](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Buxtonsfabanddab)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 2:43am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/an-interesting-deep-dive-into-weld-distortion/3363/8 "2025-07-17T02:43:16Z")
> **[Distortion Control - Flame Straightening Technology: John P. Stewart:...](https://www.amazon.com/Distortion-Control-Flame-Straightening-Technology/dp/0969284535)** > > Distortion Control - Flame Straightening Technology \[John P. Stewart\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Distortion Control - Flame Straightening Technology > **[Distortion - Types and Causes](https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/job-knowledge/distortion-types-and-causes-033)** > > Covers several key issues on distortion in arc welded fabrications, especially causes of distortion, basic types of welding distortion and factors affecting the degree of distortion > **[Design of Weldments](https://www.jflf.org/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=DW)** ---
**Author:** ![Buxtonsfabanddab](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/buxtonsfabanddab/32/4426_2.png) [@Buxtonsfabanddab](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Buxtonsfabanddab)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 8:42pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/an-interesting-deep-dive-into-weld-distortion/3363/9 "2025-10-10T20:42:51Z")
> **[10K views · 29 reactions | I had to speed this up 5x to really see the...](https://www.facebook.com/reel/1460958261877854?rdid=TFb2vQ81OQYJHQiI&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fr%2F177gCfcQUJ%2F)** > > I had to speed this up 5x to really see the warpage that the lasers put on the material. 50” long open ended 1” sq tube cut on a 35° angle moved just enough to notice while under heat, but only...