Step 1: Concept Welding involves localized heating followed by rapid cooling as heat is conducted away by the surrounding base metal.
Step 2: Meaning Rapid cooling can lead to the formation of brittle phases like martensite or cause thermal cracking (hydrogen cracking).
Step 3: Analysis By warming the entire base metal (preheating) before welding, the temperature gradient between the weld and the surrounding area is reduced.
Step 4: Conclusion This smaller gradient slows down the conduction of heat away from the weld, thereby decreasing the cooling rate.
Final Answer: (D)