- Preheat can minimize cracking and/or ensure specific mechanical properties such as notch toughness. It must be used when codes specify and may be needed based on base metal, thickness, and other factors when no codes apply. - Annex XI of AWS D1.1-96 provides two methods for determining proper preheat amounts: HAZ hardness control or hydrogen control. - Preheat may be applied using furnaces, heating torches, electrical strip heaters, or induction/radiant heaters. Proper temperatures must be followed closely for quenched/tempered steels but not as critical for carbon steels.