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Up Topic Welding Industry / Technical Discussions / Multiple PWHT in one weld joint
- - By Victorio Date 07-25-2008 13:10
Here is the problem I found. Due to a very poor quality management by our main contrator - poor monitoring on PWHT activities conducted by thier subcontractor resulted to a multiple PWHT on some welded joints. Meaning not only one PWHT were done on a welded joint. The fisrt PWHT conducted on a carbon steel pipe weld joint(s) was found unacceptable because the soaking temperature was out of the PWHT soak temp range as required by NACE which is 620'C-640'C. Actual soaking temp was at 600'C only so they did the 2nd PWHT this time at a 620'C. But for no apparent reason a month later the joints were PWHTed again.

How many times PWHT is allowed to be done in one weld? and What is the impact on the weld and materia (mechanical/metallurgical properties) if multiple PWHT were done? Hoping to get feedback here as soon as possible.

Thanks
Parent - - By js55 (*****) Date 07-25-2008 13:31
There is no limit, unless imposed by specification, for the number of PWHT's imposed on a weld joint. That being said there should be some practical limit. The number of times for PWHT is not such an issue as the time at soak temp.
Since your first PWHT was rather low this works for you. The idea to higher temps is to reduce hardness.
Most of what happens in PWHT actually happens in the first couple of hours. After that the rate of change slows down considerably. The first two hours or so depends predominantly on stress relief through a creep mechanism and is responsible for the precipitous change in mechanicals. Once this process runs it course for the most part change in mechanicals depends more on carbide precipitation which is diffusion controlled and by definition much slower. In many cases after 6,7, 8 hours or so the PWHT curves become quite flat. Meaning things don't change very fast.
Verification of such can be garnered from ASME Section IX wherein time at temp is considered a supplementary variable related to impact testing regimes.
Parent - By Tommyjoking (****) Date 07-25-2008 13:55
WOW!
Parent - By Victorio Date 07-26-2008 00:16
Thanks...so there is no much effect in the tensile strength of the weld and materiaL? How about in the life span/cycle of this material during operation/service?
Parent - - By jon20013 (*****) Date 07-26-2008 07:40
Very well said, as usual js55!  Hardness lowered (possibly a good thing) but impacts may be affected (possibly a bad thing if notch toughness is required).
Parent - By Victorio Date 07-26-2008 10:46
Thank you very much.

Best regards,
Vic
Parent - - By GRoberts (***) Date 07-26-2008 16:54
One potential problem with multiple PWHT cycles, is that if you have CVN testing requirements, you probably exceeded the 80% rule for qualfying PWHT on your PQR for the welds in question.
Parent - - By js55 (*****) Date 07-31-2008 18:35
Victorio,
Pay close attention to what jon and greg posted. And keep in mind I did not say 'not much effect'. It has to be engineered based upon time at temperature.
Parent - By Inconel Date 08-08-2008 13:41
Sir/Madam
From my little experience ,I would like to mention something.The metallurgical property will not change if you are not crossing upper critical temperature during PWHT.Check the hardness after PWHT.If it come with in the client project specification,accept as it is.
Up Topic Welding Industry / Technical Discussions / Multiple PWHT in one weld joint

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