heat-affected zone (HAZ)

The region of a material that has experienced changes in its microstructure and mechanical properties due to exposure to high temperatures during welding, cutting, or other heat-intensive processes. The HAZ is located adjacent to the weldLocalized coalescence of metals produced by heating the materials to the welding temperature, with or without the application of pressure, or by the application… or heat-affected area and can have different characteristics compared to the base metal.