A weld joint includes a first component of a first material and a second component of a ductile second material dissimilar from the first material. A planar face of the first component abuts a planar face of the second component. A “V” shaped weld groove is created in the first component defining a first groove end where a substantially planar groove face of the first component intersects a plane defined by the planar face of the second component below an end face of the second component. A slot is created below the groove end in the planar face of the second component having a closed end facing toward the end face of the second component and extending away from the planar face of the second component at an angle measured with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the slot.