https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/files/124501933/Ring_Weld_Journal_Paper_Part_1_simulations_Rev.0.12_with_Endnote_ref_for_IJSS_ref_as_plain_text.pdf

An optimisation study of the modified deep-hole drilling technique using finite element analyses applied to a stainless steel ring welded circular disc

A concept of heterogeneous welded joint is proposed for researching and describing the characteristics of local postweld heat treatment (PWHT) temperature field for asymmetric thermal conductivity welded joint. Its three types have been classified according to thermal conductivity direction around the weld, separately, welded joint with transverse unidirectional thermal conductivity, transverse bidirectional thermal conductivity, transverse and longitudinal thermal conductivity. Compared with the temperature field of symmetric thermal conductivity welded joint, the highest temperature point of heterogeneous welded joint deviates from the heat device center, and uniform temperature area shrinks. In addition, longitudinal temperature difference and dramatic temperature change zone have arisen for the third type heterogeneous welded joint. In order to improve the temperature distribution, two PWHT methods called temperature compensation method and power compensation method have been put forward and developed. Several engineering applications of two methods are illustrated as examples.

Local Postweld Heat Treatment of Heterogeneous Welded Joint

This paper presents analyses done to determine residual stress relief achieved by post weld heat treatment (PWHT) of tube attachment welds inside a thick SA508 steel pressure vessel forging. Finite element (FE) analyses were performed modelling the manufacturing operations in detail including welding, machining and PWHT. The analyses demonstrate that PWHT at 600°C for 8 hours is effective in reducing as-welded residual stress levels from tensile yield magnitude (+500MPa approx) to <100MPa. The maximum residual stress was computed to be 90MPa sub-surface in a region of hydrostatic (tri-axial tensile) stress. Secondary creep was modelled using data from creep tests on SA508 steel uni-axial tensile specimens. Practically all of the stress relaxation is due to creep strain with minimal additional plastic strain. Most stress relief occurs during the first hour of soak, with diminishing benefit thereafter. Analysis results also indicate that PWHT effectiveness is more sensitive to soak temperature than hold time. These FE results are considered slightly pessimistic but are reasonably consistent with other analytical predictions. By comparison surface hole drilling stress measurements of <50MPa (10% yield strength) were recorded from a representative welded test block. Analysis pessimism was attributed to ignoring both primary creep and relaxation during the slow warm up phase of the heat treatment cycle.Copyright © 2007 by ASME and Rolls-Royce plc

J. Davies

Papers

Residual Stress Relaxation in a Tube Attachment Weld Inside a Pressure Vessel Forging During Post Weld Heat Treatment