Overview of Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT)

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Welding is an essential part of operating and maintaining assets in the petroleum

(upstream, midstream, downstream) and chemical processing industries. While it has many
useful applications, the welding process can inadvertently weaken equipment by imparting
residual stresses into a material, leading to reduced material properties.

In order to ensure the material strength of a part is retained after welding, a process known
as Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) is regularly performed. PWHT can be used to
reduce residual stresses, as a method of hardness control, or even to enhance material
strength.

If PWHT is performed incorrectly, or neglected altogether, residual stresses can combine

with load stresses to exceed a materials design limitations. This can lead to weld failures,
higher cracking potential, and increased susceptibility to brittle fracture.

PWHT encompasses many different types of potential treatments; two of the most common
types are post heating and stress relieving:

Post Heating:
o Hydrogen induced cracking (HIC) often occurs when high levels of ambient
hydrogen permeate into a material during welding. By heating the material
after welding, it is possible to diffuse hydrogen from the welded area, thus
preventing HIC. This process is known as post heating and should begin
immediately after the weld is completed. Rather than being allowed to cool,
the material needs to be heated to a certain temperature depending on the
type and thickness of the material. It should be held at this temperature for a
number of hours dependent on the thickness of the material.
Stress Relieving:
o By the time its complete, the welding process can leave a large number of
residual stresses in a material, which can lead to an increased potential for
stress corrosion and hydrogen induced cracking. PWHT can be used to
release these residual stresses and reduce this potential. This process
involves heating the material to a specific temperature and then gradually
cooling it.

Whether or not a material should undergo PWHT depends on a number of factors, including
things like its alloying system or whether its been subject to heat treatment previously.
Certain materials can actually be damaged by PWHT, while others almost always require it.
In general, the higher the carbon content of a material, the more likely it needs PWHT after
welding activities have been conducted. Similarly, the higher the alloy content and cross-
sectional thickness, the more likely the material is to need PWHT.

References

1. Funderburk, R. Scott, 1998. "Key Concepts: Postweld Heat Treatment." Welding

Innovation Vol XV, No. 2.
2. Ahmed Khaleel, Krishan J., 2002. "Post-Weld Heat Treatment Case Studies,"
BARC Newsletter, Founder's Day Special Issue, pp 111-115.