What are the causes of slag inclusion?
Slag inclusions are nonmetallic solid material entrapped in weld metal or between weld metal and base metal. Slag inclusions are regions within the weld cross section or at the weld surface where the once-molten flux used to protect the molten metal is mechanically trapped within the solidified metal. This solidified slag represents a portion of the weld’s cross-section where the metal is not fused to itself. This can result in a weakened condition which could impair the serviceability of the component. Inclusions may also appear at the weld surface. Like incomplete fusion, slag inclusions can occur between the weld and base metal or between individual weld passes. In fact, slag inclusions are often associated with incomplete fusion.
