What is warpage defined as?

• A. Cause of residual stress to a butt joint
• B. Consequence of residual stress in a butt joint
• C. A decorative feature of a weld bead
• D. A type of crack along the weld

Answer: (A)

Warpage is the distortion or deformation of a welded part that occurs as residual stresses created during welding are relieved during cooling. In a butt joint, heat input causes different parts of the metal to expand and then contract unequally; as the weld and base metals cool and constraints release, the whole piece can bend, twist, or warp. So warpage is a consequence of residual stress, not the cause of it, and not a decorative feature or a crack. Understanding this helps you focus on controlling heat input, clamping, welding sequence, and post-weld straightening to minimize or correct the distortion.