Effects of rail flash-butt welding and post-weld heat treatment processes meeting different national standards on residual stresses of welded joints

Author(s):  
Rui Ma ◽  
Dan Huang ◽  
Jiao Zhang ◽  
Yang Zhang ◽  
Qibing Lv
2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yao Ren ◽  
Anna Paradowska ◽  
Bin Wang ◽  
Elvin Eren ◽  
Yin Jin Janin

This research investigated the effects of global (in other words, furnace-based) and local post weld heat treatment (PWHT) on residual stress (RS) relaxation in API 5L X65 pipe girth welds. All pipe spools were fabricated using identical pipeline production procedures for manufacturing multipass narrow gap welds. Nondestructive neutron diffraction (ND) strain scanning was carried out on girth welded pipe spools and strain-free comb samples for the determination of the lattice spacing. All residual stress measurements were carried out at the KOWARI strain scanning instrument at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO). Residual stresses were measured on two pipe spools in as-welded condition and two pipe spools after local and furnace PWHT. Measurements were conducted through the thickness in the weld material and adjacent parent metal starting from the weld toes. Besides, three line-scans along pipe length were made 3 mm below outer surface, at pipe wall midthickness, and 3 mm above the inner surface. PWHT was carried out for stress relief; one pipe was conventionally heat treated entirely in an enclosed furnace, and the other was locally heated by a flexible ceramic heating pad. Residual stresses measured after PWHT were at exactly the same locations as those in as-welded condition. Residual stress states of the pipe spools in as-welded condition and after PWHT were compared, and the results were presented in full stress maps. Additionally, through-thickness residual stress profiles and the results of one line scan (3 mm below outer surface) were compared with the respective residual stress profiles advised in British Standard BS 7910 “Guide to methods for assessing the acceptability of flaws in metallic structures” and the UK nuclear industry's R6 procedure. The residual stress profiles in as-welded condition were similar. With the given parameters, local PWHT has effectively reduced residual stresses in the pipe spool to such a level that it prompted the thought that local PWHT can be considered a substitute for global PWHT.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2083 (2) ◽  
pp. 022009
Author(s):  
Xiangqian Qi

Abstract The local post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) process test of 9Cr-3W-3Co small-diameter pipe welded joints was carried out using rope-type resistance heaters with different parameters, and the Brinell hardness test and microstructure observation were carried out on the welded joints after heat treatment. The results show that when the heating width was 200mm, the constant temperature was 790°C-800°C, and the constant temperature time was 2 hours, the Brinell hardness of the weld was in the range of 246HBW-265HBW, which had good performance. After tempering at 760°C-800°C, the welds all showed a clear tempered lath martensite.


Author(s):  
Martin Widera

Due to the core shroud cracks reported from numerous BWRs including the German KWU type BWR Wuergassen, a RPV internals management program for the Gundremmingen NPP (KRB-II) has been initiated in 1994. Major steps and the main results of this program are presented. As an interim result, surface condition of the weld regions and controlled post weld heat treatment (PWHT) in order to reduce the residual stresses seem to play an important role for resistance to crack initiation and growth. To support these assumptions, results of related R&D projects of the German utilities (VGB) are presented.


Author(s):  
Kolton Landreth ◽  
Qi Li ◽  
Raghav Marwaha

Abstract Full-encirclement split tee fittings for hot tapping and plugging (HT&P) wrap completely around the pipeline and are welded in place. The welded joint provides mechanical reinforcement of the pipe and branch. When full-encirclement hot tap tees are welded to pipelines 24 inches in diameter or larger, the header must often be at least 1.25 inches thick to pass the required calculations for reinforcement. This means the joint will require post weld heat treatment (PWHT) according to ASME B31.8 and CSA Z662. However, PWHT can be extremely dangerous and impractical, potentially elevating temperature to the point where material strength of the pressurized pipeline is compromised. An engineering critical assessment per ASME FFS-1/API 579 indicated PWHT may not be required for a full-encirclement hot tap tee over 1.25 inches thick. Specifically, research showed that the residual stresses developed during the welding process may not limit the design of a full-encirclement tee or lead to shorter pipeline design life. This paper illustrates how a “more rigorous analysis” per paragraph 802.2.2[b] of ASME B31.8 and paragraph 4.3.12.2 of CSA Z662 may help operators avoid the PWHT requirement. It discusses the finite element analysis (FEA) simulations researchers used to induce residual stresses in a carbon steel fitting. The residual stresses induced in the fitting were used as initial condition for plastic collapse and fatigue evaluations.


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