In general this isn't really an issue when welding mild steel. The base metal, nor the filler metal have enough carbon to harden appreciably.
The slag does chip off much more easily after the weld has cooled though. The weld shrinks as it cools, and the slag doesn't. With a good weld and a rod like a 6013, 7018, or 7014 the slag will curl up like a scorpions tail and fall off by itself as the weld cools.
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