Cairo Inspection Company

Eng. Ibrahim Eldesoky

ASNT NDT-LEVEL III
ASME AUTHORIZED INSPECTOR

Post weld Heat Treatment

Any heat treatment subsequent to welding.

Normalizing
A process in which a ferrous metal is heated to a suitable
temperature above the transformation range and is
subsequently cooled to below the transformation range.

Stress Relieving
Uniform heating of a structure or portion thereof to a
sufficient temperature to relieve the major portion of the
residual stresses, followed by uniform cooling.

Transformation Range
A temperature range in which ferrous materials undergo
internal atomic changes affecting their material properties.
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UW-2 SERVICE RESTRICTIONS

(a) When vessels are to contain lethal substances,
either liquid or gaseous, all butt welded joints shall
be fully radiographed, .. When fabricated of
carbon or low alloy steel, such vessels shall be post
weld heat treated.

When a vessel is to contain fluids of such a nature

that a very small amount mixed or unmixed with air
is dangerous to life when inhaled, it shall be the
responsibility of the user and/or his designated
agent to determine if it is lethal.
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UW-10 Postweld Heat treatment

Pressure vessels and pressure vessel parts shall be
heat treated as prescribed in UW-40 when PWHT is
required in the applicable part of Subsection C.

UW-40 Procedures of PWHT

(a) In the procedures that follow, the minimum soak
band shall contain the weld (W), heat affected zone
(HAZ) and a portion of the base metal adjacent to the
weld being heat treated.

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UW-40 Methods of PWHT

(b) The temperatures and rates of heating and cooling to be used are
given in UCS-56, UHT-56, UNF-56 and UHA-32.
(c) The minimum PWHT temperatures shall be the minimum
temperature of the plate material of the shell or head (furnace gas
temperature measurement alone is not considered sufficiently
accurate).
Where more than one pressure vessel or part are treated in one
furnace charge, thermocouples shall be placed in the bottom, center
and top of the charge, or in other zones of possible temp. variation.
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UW-40 Procedures of PWHT

(d) When pressure parts of two different P-Number Groups are
joined by welding, the PWHT shall be that specified according to
UCS-56 or UHA-32, for the material requiring the higher PWHT
temperature.
(e) PWHT, when required, shall be done before the hydrostatic
test and after any welded repairs except as permitted by
UCS56(f).
A preliminary hydrostatic test to reveal leaks prior to PWHT is
permissible.
(f) The term nominal thickness is the thickness (t) of the welded
joint as follows.
For pressure vessels or parts being post weld heat treated in
a furnace charge, t is the greatest weld thickness in any vessel
or part which has not previously been post weld heat treated.
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UW-40 Procedures of PWHT

(f) Nominal
Thickness

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UW-40 Procedures of PWHT

(f) Nominal Thickness continued...

UW-49 Check of PWHT Practice

The Inspector shall satisfy himself that all PWHT has been
correctly performed and that the temperature readings
conform to the requirements.
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UCS-56(a) Requirements for PWHT

Requires WPS qualification per Section IX. Everything requires
PWHT unless exempted by Tables UCS-56 or UCS-56.1.
Exemptions to PWHT do not apply when:
PWHT is a service requirement (UCS-68),
joining material of certain P-Numbers and thicknesses welded
with either the electron beam, inertia and continuous drive friction,
electroslag or electrogas welding processes.
Heating and cooling rates do not apply for P-No. 1 welded materials
heat treated in the austenitizing range.

UCS-56(b) Requirements for PWHT

Holding times and temperatures may exceed stated values unless
prohibited by Table UCS-56.
Intermediate PWHT need not conform to Table UCS-56.
Heat treatment may be performed in multiple PWHT cycles.
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UCS-56(c) Requirements for PWHT

When welding pressure parts of different P-Numbers, use the table
with the higher PWHT temperature.
When welding non-pressure parts to pressure parts, the PWHT
temperature for the pressure part shall govern. Furnace temp, shall
not exceed 800F (425C) at the time the vessel or part is placed in
it.

UCS-56(d) Requirements for PWHT

Above 800F (425C), the heat up rate shall not exceed 400F per
hour (222C) divided by the maximum metal thickness of the shell
or head in inches, but in no case more than 400F per hour
(222C).
During the heating period, there shall not be a variation in
temperature greater than 250F (120C) throughout the vessel
within any 15 foot (4.6 meter) interval of length.
Holding times and temperatures per Table UCS-56orUCS56.1.
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Cairo Inspection Company (CIC)

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NOTES:
(1) Minimum holding time for 1 in. (25 mm) thickness or less. Add 15
minutes per Inch (25 mm) of thickness for thicknesses greater than 1 In.
(25 mm).
(2) These lower post weld heat treatment temperatures permitted only
for P-No. 1 Gr. Nos. 1 and 2 materials.
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UCS-56(d) Requirements for PWHT

During the holding period, there shall not be a greater
difference than 150F (83C) in temperature between the
highest and lowest readings.
During the heating and holding periods, the furnace
atmosphere shall be so controlled as to avoid excessive
oxidation of the vessel surface.
The furnace shall be designed as to prevent flame
impingement on the vessel. Above 800F (425C), cooling
shall be done in a closed chamber or cooling chamber.
Cooling rates above 800F (425C) shall not exceed 500F
per hour (278C) divided by the maximum shell or head
thickness in inches, but in no case more than 500F per hour
(278C).
From 800F (425C) the vessel may be cooled in still air.
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