What Does
Transverse Crack Mean?
A transverse crack, as its name suggests, is a crack that extends along the cross-section of a material or object, usually perpendicular to its centerline. It is typically the result of axial loading from external forces or shrinkage due to temperature changes. Transverse cracks occur at 90-degrees to their counterpart, longitudinal cracks. These cracks may weaken the object or allow corrosive materials to enter the object.
Corrosionpedia Explains Transverse Crack
While transverse cracks are usually associated with shrinkage in concrete and pavement structures, this type of failure is also observed in metals. For example, transverse cracks can occur in welded joints, where the crack extends along the length of the weld. This typically occurs in instances where shrinkage stresses act on welds with low ductility.
Transverse cracks in metals may also occur if stress corrosion cracking (SCC) occurs in a grain boundary oriented along the width of the metal. In this case, improper welding techniques, material heating and cooling, or externally applied forces serve to open up corroded boundaries.