Cooling time t8/5
per EN 1011-2, Annex D
Background and formulae
The cooling time t8/5 is the time a weld run and its heat-affected zone take to cool from 800 °C to 500 °C. It largely governs the mechanical properties of the joint.
Q governs, not E
Arc energy E is the energy supplied per unit length; heat input Q the share of it that reaches the workpiece: Q = η · E. The cooling time is governed by Q. That is why the third input path needs no welding process — Q already contains the efficiency.
t8/5 = (6700 − 5 T0) · Q · [ 1/(500−T0) − 1/(800−T0) ] · F3t8/5 = (4300 − 4,3 T0) · 105 · (Q/d)2 · [ (1/(500−T0))2 − (1/(800−T0))2 ] · F2Limits of the method
- The concept applies to joints of equal plate thickness. For unequal thicknesses it gives an indication only.
- The cooling time is a window, not a lower limit: cooling too fast hardens the material, too slow costs toughness.
- This calculation does not replace a welding procedure test.
Sources
- EN 1011-2:2001+A1:2003, Annex D
- EN 1011-1:2009, Table 1





