Proceedings of the ASME 2010 Pressure Vessels & Piping Division / K-PVP Conference

PVP2010
July 18-22, 2010, Bellevue, Washington, USA
Proceedings of the ASME 2010 Pressure Vessels & Piping Division Conference
PVP2010
July 18-22, 2010, Bellevue, Washington, USA

PVP2010-25
PVP2010-25274

POTENTIAL DETRIMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF EXCESSIVE PWHT ON

PRESSURE VESSEL STEEL PROPERTIES

Cédric Chauvy Lionel Coudreuse Patrick Toussaint

ArcelorMittal Industeel ArcelorMittal Industeel ArcelorMittal Industeel
Châteauneuf, France Chateauneuf, France Charleroi, Belgium

ABSTRACT
During fabrication of Pressure Vessels, steels undergo
several heat treatments that aim to confer the required
properties on the entire equipment, including welds and base
metal. Indeed, the Quality heat treatment of the base material,
which leads to achieve the target properties, is most of the time
followed by Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT). The aim of
such treatments is to insure a good behaviour of the welded
zones in terms of residual stresses and obviously properties
such as toughness. Generally, many simulated PWHT (up to 4
or more) are required for the testing of the base material, which
can affect its properties and even lead to non acceptable results.
In some cases for fabrication purposes an intermediate Stress
relieving treatment can be required
Special attention is paid on C-Mn steels (e.g. SA/A516
from ASME BPV Code) with the effect of thickness and Ceq
(IIW Carbon equivalent formula: see page 3) requirements on
the final compromise between properties and heat treatments. In
particular, toughness and UTS are the critical parameters that
will limit the acceptance of too high PWHT. Although micro-
alloying is a mean to increase the resistance to PWHT, this
leads to difficulties in softening the heat affected zones. This
solution is therefore not the best one considering the whole
equipment optimisation. Finally, the manufacturing process can
play a major role when specifications are stringent. Quenching
and tempering can indeed provide better flexibility in terms of
PWHT and improved toughness for given Ceq and thickness.
The case of Cr-Mo(-V) steels, which are widely used in
the energy industry, is also addressed. Indeed, PWHT
requirements for increasing the toughness in the weld metal can
lead to decrease the base metal properties below the
specification limits. For example, the case of SA/A387gr11 is
very typical of metallurgical changes that can occur during
these high PWHT leading to a degradation of toughness in the
base metal. Another focus is made on the Vanadium Cr-Mo
grade SA/A542D that must withstand very high PWHT (705°C
and even 710°C) because of welds toughness issues.
Optimisation has therefore to be done to increase the resistance
to softening and to guarantee acceptable microstructure,
especially in the case of thick wall vessels.
Some ways for improvement are proposed on the basis of
the equivalent LMP tempering parameter concept. The basic
philosophy is to fulfil the need for discussion between
companies involved in pressure vessels fabrication so that the
best compromise can be found to ensure the best and safest
behaviour of the equipment as a whole.
INTRODUCTION
Plates and other components of a pressure vessel usually
undergo various heat treatments in order to make them meet the
requirements, which may be either customer specifications or
international standards. The base metal before welding can thus
be normalized, normalized and tempered or quenched and
tempered.
During vessel fabrication, the manufacturer performs
several thermal cycles: preheating, post heating, DHT (De-
Hydrogenation Treatment), ISR (Intermediate Stress Relieving),
PWHT (Post Weld Heat Treatment). Due to the temperature
range, only ISR and PWHT can be considered as real heat
treatments.
Usually, it is considered that tempering confers the
mechanical properties on the base metal and the subsequent
heat treatments confer the properties on the weld area. In
particular in case of repairs, it is not unusual to perform several
cycles of PWHT: up to 3 or 4. Actually, all these thermal cycles
will affect more or less the properties of the base metal. This
becomes still more critical for thick wall vessels for which long
PWHT duration can be necessary.
In order to minimize the effect of PWHT on the base
metal mechanical properties, the steelmakers are frequently

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 asked to perform the tempering (if required) at higher involves both time and temperature, is of great interest. The
temperature than the PWHT, which focuses on the weld metal. most used tempering parameter is called the Larson-Miller
Moreover, the mechanical tests have to be carried out after Parameter LMP (or the Hollomon-Jaffee parameter).
simulated PWHT (Temperature above 454°C according to
ASME or other code) in order to prove that the base metal can The Larson-Miller Parameter formula is given hereafter for a
withstand these thermal cycles. single heat treatment:
In many cases, the PWHT has a real influence on the base
metal properties and the steelmakers have to take it into account LMP = θ ⋅ (20 + log(t )) (1)
while defining the grade and the manufacturing route. For
instance, in case of thick wall reactors (>100mm) which require
with: θ temperature (K) and t time (hours)
PWHT at high temperature during long periods, the steel
supplier must sometimes decline the tempering temperatures
It is also possible to extend this relationship to a multiple
required by the customer specification. Indeed, it is sometimes
treatment. In that case, the method is to choose one temperature
not possible to guarantee the required properties after PWHT if
θ (usually the one used for the first treatment) and to calculate
using a too high tempering treatment for a given grade.
Generally, the most convenient way to quantify the effect for each treatment an equivalent duration teq at temperature θ,
of several thermal cycles on the properties is to use time- by equalizing the LMP between the set of conditions (θ, teq) and
temperature equivalent laws or tempering parameters. For (θi, ti).
pressure vessel steels, the parameter commonly used is the 20⋅(θ i −θ ) θi
( + )
Larson Miller Parameter LMP (also called Hollomon-Jaffee θ θ ⋅log (ti )
Parameter). eqi t = 10 (2)
The goal of this paper, after a brief rehearsal on the
tempering parameter, is to show the limits in term of tempering
These durations have then to be used in formula (1) and
and PWHT of different steel grades. Especially in case of heavy
this leads to the following general expression:
gauges, the final properties are not only given by the tempering
step but by the whole thermal history that has to be applied to
n
the material.
LMPeq = θ ⋅ 20 + log t eqi (3)
i =1
EQUIVALENT TEMPERING PARAMETER: LARSON-
MILLER PARAMETER
The influence of time and temperature on mechanical θ is the chosen reference temperature (K)
properties is well known. Figure 1 gives an illustration of teqi is the equivalent duration at θ for a treatment i made at θi
typical curves that can be drawn from experience (for a 2.25Cr - during ti (hours)
1Mo steel grade in that case). Nevertheless, it is difficult to Figure 2 below is an example of the relevance of such a
compare the effect of different heat treatments, made at parameter. It shows a lot of data obtained with a single
different temperatures and different durations, and it is also treatment (blue dots) but also some results from multiple
impossible to determine the cumulative effect of two or more treatments (red and green dots within red circles).
heat treatments at different temperatures.
UTS one cycle YS one cycle UTS (660°C-5h30 + 690°C-24h)
YS (660°C-5h30 + 690°C-24h) UTS (710°C-6h + 690°C-33h) YS (710°C-6h + 690°C-33h)
UTS (Temp 635°C) UTS (Temp 665°C) UTS (Temp 690°C)
YS (Temp 635°C) YS (Temp 665°C) YS (Temp 690°C)

800
800

700 690°C
700
690°C 665°C
600 600
MPa

665°C 635°C In
MPa

635°C
500 500

400
400

300
300 19000 19500 20000 20500 21000 21500
1 10 100 LMP
Time (h)
Figure 2: Mechanical properties as a function of LMP (grade
Figure 1: Influence of temperature and time on tensile A387gr22 cl2)
properties (grade A387gr22 cl2).
Therefore, the use of an equivalence parameter, which Once this parameter is defined, it is possible to study the

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 effect of cumulative heat treatments, which can be tempering, Influence of tempering parameter on UTS values
ISR and PWHT, on the different properties required for the
application (mainly tensile characteristics and Charpy V-Notch 550
540
toughness). A 516 gde 70
Thickness range 100/200mm
530
520
C-MN STEELS FOR PETROCHEMICAL APPLICATIONS

UTS (MPa)
510
The case of C-Mn steels such as A516 is very interesting 500 Ceq =0.43
Ceq =0.45
in that sense that many parameters must be taken into account 490
480 485 MPa ( Minimum required UTS)
when considering the effects of PWHT on materials properties.
470
First, the composition is often controlled through the use of a 460
600°C -15h 610°C -15h
620°C -15h

maximum Carbon Equivalent Ceq. This parameter aims to 450

ensure a good weldability and is commonly defined by using the 17500 18000 18500 19000 19500
IIW formula given hereafter: LMP

Figure 3: Influence of tempering parameter on UTS values for

Mn (Cr + Mo + V ) ( Ni + Cu ) (4)
Ceq = C + + +
6 5 15
There are therefore a lot of elements that are not included
in this concept but allowed in the composition according to
A516 or A20. We will see later how some other elements can
be used and their limitations.
Then the target is to obtain an acceptable microstructure,
matching the properties requirements, with a given chemical
composition. For a given manufacturing route, the cooling rate
for higher thicknesses will be lower than for the thinnest ones.
In some cases, particularly for heavy gauges, ensuring that the
properties are met implies to adapt either the Ceq value or the
A516gr70.
It is also important to note that in the case of C-Mn steels,
too strong PWHT leads to deterioration of both the toughness
and the tensile properties. Indeed, toughness is decreasing for
normalized C-Mn steels when increasing the global tempering
parameter and/or increasing thickness as shown in figure 4.
Depending on targeted values and temperature, this can
sometimes give the limitation in terms of acceptable PWHT.
200.0
175.0

cooling process. 150.0

Finally, depending on fabrication conditions, more or less 125.0
Kv(-46°C)

strong PWHT can be required leading to potential problems

100.0
regarding minimum values of mechanical properties.
In few words, for a given thickness, A516 must 75.0

simultaneously satisfy requirements of: 50.0

- Ceq 25.0
- PWHT
0.0
- UTS and YS 50 75 100 125 150 175 200
- Charpy V-Notch impact values Thickness (mm)

Most of the time, A516 is delivered in normalized
condition. For thickness above 100mm, this can lead to
undermatch the target values for mechanical properties in case
of too high PWHT. Then the only alternative, for a given
manufacturing route, is to increase the level of Ceq as shown in
figure 3.
This leads to PWHT limitation of typically 610°C+/-10°C
for 15h. In other words, guaranteeing tensile properties in
conformity with the A516gr70 standard implies to limit the
tempering parameter value at approximately 18500 and 18900,
for a Ceq of 0.43 and 0.45 respectively.
Figure 4: Influence of increasing thickness on Charpy values for
Normalized C-Mn steels at given LMP value.
As previously said, for special applications, it is frequently
asked for A516gr70 to limit Ceq to 0.43 for weldability reasons,
or even to fulfill the requirements of hardness in HAZ (for
example NACE recommendation is maximum 248Hv / 22HRC)
for use in H2S environments.
In order to satisfy these requirements an alternative would
be to add a small amount of Nb to achieve the required tensile
properties after PWHT, without any effect on Ceq value.
However adding Nb has an influence on HAZ behaviour, as
shown on curves of figures 5 and 6 that compare the softening
occurring in the Heat Affected Zone of grade A516gr70 and of
another steel corresponding to the standard BS1501-225 (which
contents 0.035%Nb).

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Figure 5: Influence of PWHT on hardness values for A516gr70
without micro-alloying elements.
The curves of figure 5 show that, for grade A516gr70, one
can guarantee hardness in HAZ lower than 248Hv with a stress-
relieving heat treatment at low temperatures (600°C). It is to
note that the recommendation of NACE, which indicates that
the PWHT should be performed above 620°C, is not justified
for C-Mn steels. In other words, the minimum temperature to be
applied is the one allowing respecting the 248Hv maximum
Heat Affected Zone Hardness while respecting the minimum
stress relieving temperature as per the construction code, which
is 595°C (1100°F) according to ASME VIII div1 and div2. H2S
resistance, which is the concern of the NACE recommendation,
is already obtained using 600°C.
Figure 6: Influence of PWHT on hardness values for C-Mn
steel containing micro-alloying elements.
To the contrary, for micro-alloyed steel with Nb it is
necessary to use strong tempering parameters to satisfy the
requirements of hardness in HAZ (figure 6). This evolution
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requires PWHT at very high temperature, which can deteriorate
base metal toughness. This example illustrates the "perverse"
effect of some requirements. Indeed, it would be possible to
match the mechanical requirements and to get good toughness
with non micro-alloyed steel with a lower PWHT temperature.
For instance, it would be possible, according to figure 3, to
meet the required mechanical properties of A516grade70, with
a Ceq of 0.43 and a PWHT limited to 600°C.
As demonstrated, with the aim of accepting more stringent
conditions with higher thicknesses (typically higher than
150mm), playing with chemical composition has limitations.
One can increase Ceq but this could deteriorate weldability.
One can add micro-alloying elements but this will create Heat
Affected Zone difficult to soften during PWHT and this can
lead to worse toughness. Another solution is to use different
cooling rates that can lead to better microstructure without
having to adapt the chemical composition.
As allowed by §5.4 of SA/A516 “cooling rates faster
than those obtained by cooling in air are permissible”
provided that a suitable tempering treatment is subsequently
applied. For example water quenching of a 200mm thick plate
will give at mid thickness approximately the same cooling rate
than normalization of a 30mm thick plate. Therefore quenched
and tempered steels can be used, meaning no need to increase
Ceq because of higher cooling rates. It will lead to slightly
higher mechanical properties, significantly improved toughness
and enhanced resistance to strong PWHT. It appears then that
this solution exhibits many advantages over normalizing when
high thickness, low temperature Charpy values and strong
PWHT are required. Obviously, this does not allow to use
much higher temperature PWHT but for example to add one
cycle.
Figure 7 shows how mechanical properties behave, for
Ceq of 0.43%, when increasing the global tempering parameter
LMP as a function of the manufacturing of the plates (N or
Q&T). It appears clearly that the Q&T steel can withstand
higher PWHT for a given level of performance
600
UTS Q&T
550
UTS Normalized
500
MPa
450
YS Q&T
400
350
YS Normalized
300
15000 16000 17000 18000 19000 20000
Larson-Miller Parameter
Figure 7: Evolution of mechanical properties for A516gr70
(Ceq 0.43%) as a function of heat treatment and LMP.
4 Copyright © 2010 by ASME
 Moreover the Q&T plates show significantly better 3]. Therefore one has to be very cautious because the
toughness and even a better evolution of this toughness with combination of tempering with Post Weld Heat Treatment may
increasing LMP. Figure 8 here below illustrates this behaviour. lead to this situation. In general, the 1¼Cr- ½Mo grade is to be
used very carefully when targeted thickness is above 75mm. In
particular, it can be helpful to reduce the tempering in order to
160 get a larger margin for PWHT that aims to confer toughness on
CVN Q&T
welds.
140
Figures 9 and 10 illustrate respectively the evolutions of
120 the tensile and toughness properties as a function of the
100 tempering parameter LMP for A387gr11. These results have
J at 0°C

80
been achieved from 80 and 143 mm thick plates with
CVN Normalized comparable chemical analysis. The tempering parameters have
60
been calculated for different combinations of temperatures and
40 holding time. (temperature from 660 to 740°C; holding time
20 between 30 min and 38h).
0
15000 16000 17000 18000 19000 20000 UTS 80mm thick YS 80mm thick UTS 143mm thick YS 143mm thick

Larson-Miller Parameter 700

650
Figure 8: Evolution of CVN toughness at 0°C for A516gr70 UTS range A387gde11 cl2: 515/690MPa
600
(Ceq 0.43%) as a function of heat treatment and LMP.
550

500
As a conclusion, more and more stringent requirements
MPa

450
show up, leading to the need of finding always more accurate
400
compromise between properties and fabrication. There are
350
several parameters to be used but each of them has its own Min YS A387gde11 cl2: 310MPa
300
limitation regarding the application. For the thickest range of
250
products (>150mm), modern stringent specifications can lead to 19000 19500 20000 20500 21000 21500
use quenched and tempered steels that show higher performance LMP
levels, especially in terms of toughness.
Whatever the application, discussions are always needed Figure 9: Evolution of tensile properties of A387gde11cl2 as a
between the actors involved in the fabrication chain, in order to function of the tempering parameter.
best define the good compromise for these high quality C-Mn
steels. Figure 9 shows that the tensile properties required for the
grade can be obtained for tempering parameters up to 21000.
There is no significant difference between both thicknesses. For
1¼CR – ½MO STEEL FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE that LMP range, tensile properties are not the limiting element
REACTORS for that grade.
This CrMo low alloy grade (A387gr11) is widely used in
Kv (-29°C) 80mm thick Kv (-29°C) 143mm thick
manufacturing high temperature reactors for refining /
400
petrochemical applications. Indeed, it exhibits good mechanical
properties for operating in the typical range of 350-500°C. 350

Chemical composition does not confer enough 300

hardenability on the grade. For thin plates, normalizing can be 250 Kv min
Energy (J)

80mm thick

sufficient to achieve suitable microstructure whereas quenching 200 Kv min

and tempering is often mandatory when increasing the 150

143mm thick

thickness. This means that for thick products (typically

100
thickness >80mm) a significant amount of Pearlite and Ferrite
50
can be created even for quenched and tempered material, and
can be detrimental for toughness. 0
19000 19500 20000 20500 21000 21500
Moreover, after long exposure at temperature above LMP
650°C, there can be a modification of carbides structure that
may decrease both strength and toughness. This is linked to Figure 10: Evolution of toughness (Kv -29°C) of A387gde11cl2
globalization and coarsening of existing carbides, which is as a function of the tempering parameter.
called Upper Nose embrittlement and is known since the 50s [1-

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 2.25Cr-1Mo steel softening curve

750

700
UTS

On the other hand, figure 10 shows a different behavior 650

for toughness properties at -29°C, which get worse beyond a 600 UTS mini A 542B Cl4: 585MPa

MPa
given tempering parameter value. Moreover, the thickness plays 550 UTS mini 12CrMo9-10 :540MPa

a really detrimental role on the results and have thus to be taken UTS mini A387gde22 cl2 :515MPa
500
into account. It appears that impact properties and thickness
constitute the limiting elements to the tempering parameter for 450

1¼Cr- ½Mo steel. As a matter of fact, the more important the 400

thickness is, the less there will be possibilities to perform
tempering treatments and PWHT at high temperatures.
Then, for the thickest products, steelmakers are often
conducted to decline customer specification requirements.
When the tempering parameter calculated following the
requirements does not allow guaranteeing impact properties,
there is never a single answer that can be made. Therefore, there
is a need of discussion between the different concerned parties
in order to define the best adapted solution in terms of
compromise between PWHT, LMP, tempering and Charpy
V-notch requirements. If ever the requirements are mismatching
the material feasibility it is then necessary to choose another
material. For thick vessel, when low temperature toughness
properties are actually required (-18°C; -29°C) with the use of
strong PWHT, the use of A387gde22 cl2 is a safer alternative.
18500 19000 19500 20000 20500 21000 21500
Larson Miller Parameter
Figure 11: Influence of tempering parameter on tensile strength
of 2¼Cr-1Mo steel.
In order to guarantee the properties, a maximum value of
the tempering parameter can be determined depending on the
corresponding standard. The table below gives the maximum
tempering parameters for satisfying the tensile strength
requirements from the different standards; the maximum
tempering temperatures and PWHT conditions (for 200mm
thick plates) are also reported. It appears that the choice of the
standard will strongly affect the amount of PWHT allowable on
the grade. The lower the minimum UTS, the higher could be the
Larson Miller Parameter and therefore the more there will be
possibilities for increasing the total amount of PWHT.

2¼CR – 1MO STEEL FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE LMP

Standards Tempering PWHT
REACTORS maxi
2¼Cr-1Mo type steel is also used for petrochemical
A387 gde22 cl2 20850 710°C 690°C -33h
reactors in the same temperature range as for A387gr11.
To the contrary of 1¼Cr- ½Mo steel, the hardenability is EN10028-2
20550 660°C 680°C - 33h
large enough to obtain a suitable microstructure (that is to say 12CrMo9-10
without ferrite) for thickness up to more than 200mm as far as a
A542B cl4 20000 650°C 655°C -33h
quench and temper process is used. This kind of grade is
therefore more comfortable with regard to PWHT/toughness Table 1: Examples of heat treatment limitations as a function of
combination and toughness is indeed not a usual issue. Strength the 2¼Cr-1Mo standard used.
will thus be the limiting property when increasing PWHT.
Figure 11 illustrates the influence of the tempering The tempering parameters given in the above table have
parameter on tensile strength of 2¼Cr-1Mo steel (A387gr22), been calculated for tempering times leading to a homogeneous
for plates up to 250 mm thick. On this figure, the lower temperature through the whole thickness of the product. In fact,
thresholds of UTS requirements are specified according to there is often no tempering times requirements. Therefore, it
different standards of 2¼Cr-1Mo steels (ASTM and EN). could be possible to reduce the tempering parameter by
Chemical compositions for these different standards are the reducing the holding time. However from a metallurgical point
same; that is only by modifying the heat treatment that it is of view, this can produce heterogeneities of properties though
possible to have an effect on the mechanical properties. the thickness that can have consequences during the fabrication
of the vessel.
For example, tempering at 720°C during 1h leads to a
tempering parameter of 20,000. The same tempering parameter
can be obtained with a tempering at 690°C during 5h30.
Whereas, for a 50 mm thick plate, there is no problem to
perform a tempering treatment at 720°C for 1h, it is not the case
for a 250 mm thick plate, for which it is better to apply a

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 tempering of 690°C for 5h30 in order to homogenize the 700
thermal effect through the thickness. Therefore, the LMP Max UTS : 690MPa

approach must not be applied without taking into account the

specificity of thick plates. There must be production rules that 650
ensure thermal homogeneity of the products and thus give the

MPa
boundaries to respect in terms of heating rate and holding time. Effect of V and Nb
600 optimisation

Min UTS : 585MPa

Effect of boron

2¼CR – 1MO – ¼V STEEL FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE

550
REACTORS 20000 20200 20400 20600 20800 21000 21200 21400
2¼Cr-1Mo-¼V steels (SA 542DCl4a or equivalent) are LMP
PR

more and more used in refining installations for high hydrogen

pressure and high temperature ranges. Indeed, using a 2¼Cr- Figure 12: Influence of alloying on UTS for 2¼Cr-1Mo-¼V
1Mo-¼V grade instead of 2¼Cr-1Mo allows for a significant (thk > 150mm, properties at ½ thk): Curves representing
reduction of thickness, especially since the new 2007 ASME minimum values.
VIII division 2 issue, which increased the allowable stresses.
The interest has thus grown with the size of the newly designed In order to illustrate this trend with some industrial data,
reactors. Another important advantage for the final users is weld figures 13 and 14 hereafter provide some results obtained on
overlay hydrogen induced disbonding resistance. Indeed, this A542D at different stages of the thermal history, that is to say
Vanadium enhanced grade does not exhibit some hydrogen after quenching and tempering (Q&T), after minimum PWHT
induced disbonding problems at the plate-overlay interface. and after maximum PWHT as well. Moreover, a large range of
However, once again, in order to obtain the required thickness is considered, starting from 127mm up to 230mm.
properties in the welds, especially the Charpy-V impact
toughness, the vessel fabricator needs to perform PWHT at high
temperatures (typically 705°C and probably 710°C in the near
future). This leads that grade to be able to withstand such high
temperature PWHT during sometimes more than 30h.
Considering the trend to increase these PWHT requirements,
some optimization studies were necessary in order to improve
the resistance to softening. There are two ways to reach that
goal. The first one is to play on the microstructure itself
whereas the second one is to add some chemical elements that
will create stable precipitates resisting to softening.
Figure 12 illustrates the effect of different alloying
elements on the softening curve and shows how it is possible to
guarantee tensile strength properties of A542D cl4a for very
thick products (>150mm), and for high tempering parameters Figure 13: Influence of LMP and thickness on UTS for the
by using micro-alloying. On one hand, Boron promotes grade 2¼Cr-1Mo-¼V.
hardenability and therefore improves the microstructure of the
steel, especially for thick products. A full bainitic Figure 13 shows that for usual maximum PWHT (705°C
microstructure can be achieved at mid thickness up to 300mm during 33h), the UTS requirement is met. It also appears that
thick product, allowing to keep tensile strength properties at the next step of (710°C/33h) will be acceptable. This need for
mid-thickness for higher tempering parameters. On the other slight increase in PWHT temperature is currently under
hand, an optimization of Vanadium and Niobium contents discussion in order to provide the weld metal with a larger
reduces the softening during tempering. This creates stable margin in terms of toughness. One can also underline that the
carbides known to be resistant to softening. In any cases, the effect of thickness is more present for low LMP than for the
amounts of B and Nb are kept at a very low level. largest ones. It is interesting to notice the decrease as a function
of the tempering parameter. In particular, this implies that the
initial target in the Q&T state must be close to the upper limit of
UTS requirement.

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Figure 14: Influence of the thickness and the tempering
parameter on Yield Strength for grade 2¼Cr-1Mo-¼V.
Figure 14 above describes the evolution of the yield
strength as a function of the tempering parameter. Even if the
trend is obviously the same as for UTS, it appears that the
margin is larger regarding the minimum requirement to be met.
Anyway these two last figures clearly show the influence
of multiple PWHT on the mechanical properties of the base
metal. The chemical analysis optimization has given some extra
margin but the material is close to its metallurgical limit.
Figure 15 shows the average values of Charpy-V impact
testing obtained at -18°C (for Q&T) and -29°C after some
PWHT. Results concern plate thickness between 127 and
230mm with quarter thickness and half thickness sampling. It
can be noticed that the impact properties remain completely
satisfactory for all the considered LMP range, whatever the
thermal history of the plate. Thus toughness does not appear to
be a limiting factor for the time being in terms of acceptable
PWHT.
Figure 15: Influence of the thickness and the tempering
parameter on impact properties for grade 2¼Cr-1Mo-¼V.
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To summarize, the optimization carried out on 2¼Cr-
1Mo-¼V steel has allowed to reach the level of mechanical
properties required for 250 mm thick plates while respecting a
LMP at 21200.
CONCLUSIONS
Modern steels have to be considered with care when
addressing the way pressure vessels fabrication will be
performed, in particular the associated heat treatments such as
PWHT. The need to make service conditions safer and safer has
lead to stringent specifications for steel supply. The best
compromise must then be found between materials properties
and heat treatments needed for welds. Too high post weld heat
treatment will deteriorate the base metal properties and
consequently decrease the service performance of the vessels.
Some improvements can be made but always targeting the
whole behaviour of the equipment. This can be done through
adaptation of chemical composition, especially for CrMoV
steels, or manufacturing route as in the case of C-Mn where
quench and temper can bring solutions for very thick products.
To save some PWHT margin, it is also possible to perform the
tempering treatment at a lower temperature than the PWHT and
this solution is more and more used today in the industry to
match both properties and manufacturing constraint at the same
time, with no adverse effect on the final properties of the parent
metal nor the weld.
REFERENCES
[1] Jaffe L.D., Buffum D.C., “Upper-Nose Embrittlement in
Ni-Cr Steel”, Trans. AIME, 1957.
[2] Libsch, J.F., Powers A.E., Bhat G., “Temper Embrittlement
in Plain Carbon Steels”, Trans. ASM, Vol.44, pp.1058-
1075, 1952.
[3] Pellini W.S., Queneau B.R., “Development of Temper
Embrittlement in Alloy Steel”, Trans. ASM, Vol.39,
pp.136-161, 1947.
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