As I noted in my first response- I have never heard of consequences from chipping a stick weld while it is still hot. However, weld margin embrittlement is a real phenomenon,in electric welding. It is only relevant to critical joins. For instance, we did not stress relieve all tig welds on 4130- just at critical cage welds and axle welds and a few heavily loaded running gear attachment points. One advantage to torch welding is that the wider heat distribution beyond weld bead margins stress relieves if allowed to cool at its own pace. It does not matter on the vast percentage of welds. It is one of several good reasons why teaching/learning welding covers "undercut" in detail- the metal there has been thinned and carries a much higher risk of embrittlement- it knocks off points in welds examined and tested. But the risk levels in critical welds have to be recognized and that reality is demonstrated by certification at various levels of welding skill and knowledge.jet
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