11 PWHT – Rif.
EN 13445-4:2021
11.1 General
PWHT shall be performed in accordance with a written procedure which describe the parameters critical for the
heat treatment process.
Equipment used for the heat treatment shall be suitable for the heat treatment in question. It shall permit the
temperature control in the pressure part with adequate accuracy and uniformity especially for materials having
a small permissible temperature range for that heat treatment.
The heat treatment of pressure vessels or pressure parts shall be recorded and certified by the manufacturer
indicating the holding temperature, the heating- and cooling-rate and the holding time.
NOTE 1 CR ISO 17663 [7] gives useful information concerning quality control of post weld heat treatment.
NOTE 2 Heat treatment as per Table 11.1-1 particularity in the upper range of holding temperature and/or holding time
may unduly impair the physical properties (e.g. yield, tensile strength and toughness of the material) the additional effect of
multiple heating cycles should be considered. This effect is explained and published as Hollomon-Jaffe Parameter P as given
in Formula (11.1-1):
−3
P=T s ( 20+lg t ) 10 (11.1-1)
Where
Ts is the holding temperature, in Kelvin;
T is the holding time, in hours.
lg = log10
Without prior agreement between the manufacturer of the pressure vessel/part and the material manufacturer
the actual tempering temperature of NT or QT material shall not be lower than the admissible temperature as
per Table 11.1-1. A higher PWHT temperature than tempering temperature would impair the mechanical
properties of the material. In Table 11.1-1 a P crit-value is introduced. This parameter, a critical Hollomon-Jaffe
value, shall not be exceeded without proving the mechanical properties according to the procedures described in
11.5.
11.2 Heat treatment conditions
11.2.1 Post weld heat treatment, with the exception of those materials covered in 11.6 and 11.7, shall be applied
to steels in accordance with Table 11.1-1 on completion of welding.
NOTE PWHT may be carried out on steels of thickness lower than specified by Table 11.1-1. Such instances will include
vessels intended for service with media liable to cause stress corrosion cracking or prevention of brittle fracture in
accordance with EN 13445-2:2021, Annex B.
Where the cladding of the clad plate is decisive for the type and procedure of the PWHT then such data shall be
documented and taken into consideration when assessing the base material properties.
11.2.2 Where the vessel contains welded joints connecting parts which differ in thickness, the thickness to be
used in applying the requirements for post weld heat treatment shall be:
a) the thinner of the two parts butt welded together;
b) the thickness of the shell in connection to flanges, tube plates or similar connections;
c) the weld throat thickness of the shell or end plate to nozzle weld in nozzle attachment welds;
d) the base material thickness in material integrally clad with an austenitic or nickel base corrosion resistant
material (clad plate);
e) the base material thickness divided by 4 in material weld overlay clad with an austenitic or nickel based
corrosion resistant material.
11.2.3 When additional welds or welds repairs have been made to a vessel after post weld heat treatment, a
further heat treatment shall be carried out in accordance with 11.3. The thickness to be used in defining the time
required at temperature shall be the thickness of the weld applied after the PWHT.
1) Heat treatment conditions of base material:
M = thermomechanically rolled; N = normalised; NT = normalised and tempered; QT =
quenched and tempered
2) Nominal thickness en is that required by 11.2.2.
3) For thickness ≤ 35 mm post weld heat treatment is optional and normally only
necessary in special cases (e.g. to reduce the danger of stress corrosion cracking or
hydrogen-induced cracking (sour gas)).
4) If higher temperatures are used, conditions given in subclause 11.5.3 apply.
5) For thickness ≤ 15 mm PWHT is optional.
6) If PWHT is considered necessary, the PWHT time and temperature shall take into
account recommendations from the material manufacturer as well as the welding
consumable manufacturer to achieve the required material properties.
7) Normally welded with austenitic filler metal; in view of possible carbon diffusion PWHT
should be avoided.
No post weld heat treatment is required if all the following conditions are fulfilled:
8)
– tubes with nominal diameter < 120 mm;
– nominal wall thickness < 13 mm
No post weld heat treatment required if all the following conditions are fulfilled:
9)
– tubes with nominal diameter < 120 mm
– nominal wall thickness < 13 mm
– design temperature > 480 °C
10) In case of intermediate stress relieving (ISR): 630 °C – 650 °C
11) Intermediate cooling of the weld below the Mf temperature (typically 90 °C – 100 °C)
should take place before PWHT to ensure full transformation into martensite.
After the welding of the 3,5 % Ni steels with a thickness over 35 mm, it is permitted to
12)
weld, without new heat treatment, components that are not subject to pressure
provided the following conditions are met:
– the weld dimensions (weld thickness or corner joint throat) are less or equal to 12
mm;
– a preheat temperature of minimum 100 °C is applied during the welding operation.
11.3 Method of PWHT
11.3.1 Wherever possible, the vessel shall be heat treated by heating in a single operation in an enclosed furnace.
NOTE Where it is impracticable to heat treat the whole vessel in a furnace it is permissible to adopt the methods described
in 11.3.2 to 11.3.6, but it should be noted that they may not ensure the same degree of immunity from susceptibility to stress
corrosion cracking.
11.3.2 It is permissible to heat treat the completed vessel in sections in an enclosed furnace, in which case the
overlap of the vessel being heated shall be at least 1 500 mm or 5 √ ℜn , whichever is the greater. The additional
temperature cycle in the overlapping area shall thereby be taken into account for determination of the
mechanical properties.
NOTE R = internal radius, en = nominal thickness required by 11.2.2.
Where this method is used the portion outside the furnace shall be shielded by thermal insulation so that the
longitudinal temperature gradient of the part to be heated is such that between a measuring point "0" on the
component directly outside the furnace with temperature T0 and a measuring point at a distance of 2 , 5 √ ℜn
outside the furnace there is a temperature difference of ∆ T ≤0 , 5 T 0
The influence of attachments e.g. nozzles, partition walls etc. on the temperature gradient and temperature
balance shall be considered.
11.3.3 It is permissible to heat treat circumferential welds in shells locally by heating a shielded band around the
entire circumference, in which case the width of the heated band shall be not less than 5 √ ℜn with the weld in
the centre.
Where the circumferential welds to be post weld heat treated is between a shell course and a dished or
hemispherical head, the whole dished end shall be included in the heated band. The width of the heated
band on the shell course side shall be 2 , 5 √ ℜn.
Sufficient thermal insulation shall be fitted to ensure that the temperature of the weld and its heat affected zone
is not less than that specified and that the temperature at the edge of the heated band is not less than half the
peak temperature. In addition, the adjacent portion of the vessel outside the heated zone shall be thermally
insulated such that the temperature gradient is not harmful. The influence of attachments e.g. nozzles, partition
walls etc. on the temperature gradient and temperature balance shall be considered.
NOTE For thermal insulation a minimum insulated band width of 10 √ ℜn with the weld in the centre is recommended.
11.3.4 It is permissible to heat treat branches nozzles or other welded attachments or local repairs in shells
locally by heating a shielded band in accordance with 11.3.3, the width of the heated band shall cover a minimum
distance of 2 , 5 √ ℜn. in each direction from the edge of the welds to be heat treated.
11.3.5 It is permissible to heat treat the vessel internally, for which purpose it shall be fully encased with thermal
insulating material. During heat treatment care shall be taken that no internal pressure is building up which can
impair the stress reduction.
11.3.6 Vessels of different thickness, which are subject to post weld heat treatment in the same furnace, shall be
treated in accordance with the heat treatment requirements of the greater thickness of the vessels in the furnace.
When this results in a time at temperature greater than 3 h the requirements of 11.5 shall be satisfied for all the
vessels in the furnace.
11.4 PWHT procedure
11.4.1 The PWHT temperatures and times shall be in accordance with Table 11.1-1.
Materials other than those listed in Table 11.1-1 shall be heat treated according to the specification of the
material manufacturer.
11.4.2 During the heating and cooling periods, for temperatures up to 500 °C variation in temperature
throughout the vessel or component shall not exceed 150 °C within 4 500 mm and the temperature gradient
shall be gradual. Above 500 °C, this variation shall not exceed 100 °C.
During the heating and holding periods, the furnace atmosphere shall be controlled so as to avoid excessive
oxidation of the surface of the vessel or component. There shall be no direct impingement of flame on the vessel
or component.
When the vessel or component has attained a uniform holding temperature (see Table 11.1-1) this temperature
shall be held for the period specified in Table 11.1-1.
11.4.3 In the case of furnace PWHT, the temperature of the furnace at the time when the vessel or component is
placed in or taken out of the furnace shall not exceed:
— 400 °C for vessels or components of not complicated shape or en < 60 mm thickness;
— 300 °C for vessels or components of complicated shape or en ≥ 60 mm thickness.
The rate for heating or cooling of the vessel or component shall not exceed the following:
— for thickness en ≤ 25 mm: 220 °C/h;
— for thickness en > 25 mm and ≤ 100 mm: (5 500/en) °C/h;
— for thickness en > 100: 55 °C/h;
where: en is the nominal thickness in mm, required by 11.2.2.
11.4.4 The temperature specified shall be the actual temperature of any part of the vessel or zone being heat
treated and shall be determined by thermocouples in effective contact with the vessel.
11.4.5 A sufficient number of temperatures shall be recorded continuously and automatically. Several
thermocouples shall be applied to ensure that the whole vessel or zone being heat treated is within the range
specified and that undesirable thermal gradients do not occur.
The number and location of thermocouples shall be sufficient to demonstrate that the requirements of 11.3 and
11.4 have been satisfied.
11.5 Mechanical properties after heat treatment
11.5.1 The PWHT shall be considered with respect to its effect on the mechanical properties of the base material,
plate, forgings, pipe etc. and any welds, including heat affected zones.
For materials in groups 1.1 and 1.2 (except for steels in delivery condition M) the beneficial effect of the PWHT is
such that its negative effect on strength and fracture toughness of the base material shall be ignored when the
Hollomon-Jaffe parameter P for the actual heat treatment applied is less than or equal to 17.5.
NOTE For many 1.1- and 1.2-materials the Pcrit-value in Table 11.1-1 is different from the one given in EN 10028-2:2009.
11.5.2 Where the P value exceeds 17.5, but is ≤ 18.5 for material in groups 1.1 and 1.2, the effect of the PWHT on
the mechanical properties shall be allowed for by either:
a) verifying that the properties shown in the material certificate for that material are
i) at least 5 % above the specified minimum tensile strength value Rm and at least 8 % above the specified
minimum 0.2 proof strength value R p0.2, and the average Charpy impact value (where specified) is at
least 23 Joules above the specified minimum value for P-values > 17.5, but ≤ 18.0;
ii) at least 10 % above the specified minimum tensile strength value Rm and at least 12 % above the
specified minimum 0.2 proof strength value Rp0.2, and the average Charpy impact value (where
specified) is at least 30 Joules above the specified minimum value for P-values > 18.0, but ≤ 18.5.
or
b) demonstrating that the material properties after welding and heat treatment verified as described below
meet the minimum specification requirements. This can be done either:
i) on test materials heat treated with the vessels; or
ii) on test coupons subjected to a simulated PWHT by the material supplier; or
iii) on test coupons subjected to a simulated PWHT by the vessel manufacturer.
11.5.3 For all other materials except those covered in 11.5.2 generally the maximum actual PWHT temperature
shall be at least 30 °C below the minimum actual tempering temperature, and the critical Pvalue ( Pcrit) given in
Table 11.1-1 shall not be exceeded.
However, when the maximum actual PWHT temperature is not at least 30 °C below the minimum actual
tempering temperature or if the P-value for the actual heat treatment exceeds Pcrit, then the specified mechanical
properties of the material shall be verified by one of the following ways:
— on test materials heat treated with the vessel(s) or
— on test coupons subjected to a simulated PWHT by the material supplier or
— on test coupons subjected to a simulated PWHT by the vessel manufacturer.
When simulating the effect of longer times at temperature, it is permissible to cover multiple heat treatment of
the agreed time. Alternatively, slightly different temperature (±40 °C) and times by reference to the Hollomon-
Jaffe time/temperature parameter may be used.
11.6 Dissimilar ferritic joints
11.6.1 Where a vessel is manufactured from dissimilar ferritic steels special consideration with respect to the
influence on the mechanical properties shall be given to the post weld heat treatment.
11.6.2 If the maximum temperature in Table 11.1-1 required of one material in the dissimilar combination is
equal to or greater than the minimum of the second, e.g. 16Mo3 to 13CrMo4-5, then PWHT for the material with
the highest temperature in Table 11.1-1 shall be carried out, but as close to the minimum temperature as
practical. In this respect the time shall be measured when the lowest reading thermocouple reaches a
temperature 10 °C below the minimum specified in Table 11.1-1 (without the need for requalification of the
welding procedure). Consideration shall be given to the effect of this higher temperature and possibly longer
time on the mechanical properties of the second material in accordance with the requirements of 11.5.2 and
11.5.3.
11.6.3 When the maximum temperature allowed in Table 11.1-1 of one material in the dissimilar combination is
lower than the minimum temperature allowed for the second, e.g. 13CrMo4-5 to X11CrMo9-1 then one of the
following routes shall be followed:
a) PWHT the combination in accordance with the requirements for the material requiring the highest
temperature according to Table 11.1-1 and carry out a simulated treatment on the other material to
determine suitable mechanical properties for design. This shall include the effect of PWHT on impact values
and microstructure in addition to strength;
b) redesign the combination to include a transition material that overlaps the temperature range.
EXAMPLE First weld X11CrMo9-1 to 10CrMo9-10 and PWHT at (730 to 750) °C, then later weld 10CrMo9-10 to
13CrMo4-5 and PWHT at (670 to 690) °C.
c) Weld overlay the joint preparations with stainless steel or high nickel weld metal;
PWHT each component separately after welding at the appropriate time and temperature for eachmaterial in the
combination.
Weld the component/material combination of the weld overlaid joints using stainless/high nickel weld and do
not carry out further PWHT.
11.6.4 Where a weld is between a structural part and a pressure part the PWHT should be as for the pressure
part.
11.7 Special materials
For PWHT of vessels fabricated from metals in the material groups 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 6 and 9.3 using matching
filler metal, but when the grade of material is not specifically listed in Table 11.1-1 then any temperature above
600 °C may be selected as long as it is fully documented and the mechanical properties after heat treatment shall
be demonstrated by one of the alternatives in 11.5.3.
When a material has special properties that have been used in the design of the vessel and these properties can
only be developed by a specific heat treatment, this shall be documented and applied to the vessel. The
mechanical properties after heat treatment shall be demonstrated by one of the alternatives specified in 11.5.3.
11.8 Heat Treatment for reasons other than welding
When Table 11.1-1 does not mandate that Post Weld Heat Treatment to be carried out, it is permissible to carry
out a heat treatment at a lower temperature than the temperatures listed in Table 11.1-1. This may for example
be required by the vessel manufacturer in order to stabilise the structure for machining or to reduce the risk of
environmentally-assisted inter-granular stress corrosion cracking.
When a treatment temperature and/or time are lower than that required by Table 11.1-1, the joint or vessel shall
not be considered as been subject to PWHT. Thus, for example, when considering the low temperature suitability
and the impact energy requirements such a vessel shall be treated as “As Welded (AW)” in terms of EN 13445-
2:2021, Annex B
