if welded correctly the steel will tear before the weld does, if it rips right beside the weld it probably had undercut meaning it wasn't welded correctly..I've seen 3/8'' cold rolled rip 4-5'' away from the weld, the weld was fine, so cast steel has no chance of being as strong as a 7018 rod if laid properly! thats actually how they check your welds you have to weld what they call a coupon, actually several of them, then they bend, pull, etc & if it tears the weld or at its edge..no welding for you