PWHT-Steel Heat Treatment Of Specialty Welded Components In A Portable Furnace

What is PWHT

PWHT stands for Post Weld Heat Treatment, which is a process used to improve the properties of welded components made from steel. Specialty welded components, such as pressure vessels, piping systems, and boilers, require PWHT to ensure their mechanical properties meet the required standards.

The PWHT process involves heating the welded steel components to a specific temperature, holding it at that temperature for a period of time, and then cooling it down at a controlled rate. The purpose of this process is to relieve any residual stresses that have been introduced during the welding process and to improve the weld’s mechanical properties.

In a portable furnace, the welded components are placed inside the furnace, which is designed to provide uniform heating to the entire surface of the components. The furnace is then heated to the required temperature, and the components are held at that temperature for a specific time, usually several hours, depending on the thickness of the steel and the specific requirements of the PWHT process.

After the holding time has elapsed, the furnace is gradually cooled down at a controlled rate to prevent the components from cracking due to thermal shock. Once the components have cooled down to room temperature, they are inspected to ensure that the PWHT process has been successful and that the components meet the required mechanical properties.

Overall, PWHT is a critical process for ensuring the reliability and safety of specialty welded components, and the use of a portable furnace can make it easier to perform this process on-site, reducing the need for transporting large and heavy components to a remote facility for heat treatment.

Our industrial furnaces are designed and built to be extremely hard-wearing, safe, and easy to service.