Internal and External Hot Tears - Their Dissimilarity as to Appearance, Origin, and Means of Elimination

The defect in steel castings commonly known as an internal hot tears is a crack within the casting resulting from shrinkage and inadequate feeding. The external hot tear, caused by restrained contraction, is visible on the surface. Since these two defect arise from different conditions and are remedied by unlike method it is important that they be properly identified when observed on radiographs so that can be eliminated. The internal shrinkage tear and the external hot tear have individual characteristics which make their identification possible. Typical examples of both types are illustrated and discussed.