Final answer:
Welding can cause corrosion, which degrades material properties by weakening their structure. Corrosion is the disintegration of a material due to chemical reactions in the environment, and when metals are exposed to oxygen, they can form rust.
Step-by-step explanation:
Welding can cause corrosion, which degrades material properties. Corrosion is the disintegration of a material due to chemical reactions with other substances in the environment. When metals are exposed to oxygen, such as during welding, they can undergo oxidation and form rust, which weakens their structure and properties.