PWHT and Tempering Potential Issues

API934
Seattle 2011
2
Larson Miller Parameter
The use of an equivalence parameter, which involves both time and temperature,
is of great interest. The most used tempering parameter is called the Larson-
Miller Parameter LMP (or the Hollomon-J affe parameter).
The LMP formula is given for a single heat treatment:
with: u temperature (K) and t time (hours)
It is also possible to extend this relationship to a multiple treatment by calculating
an equivalent time t
eqi
at a given temperature .
( ) ( ) t LMP log 20+ = u
(

|
.
|

\
|
+ =

=
n
i
eqi eq
t LMP
1
log 20 u
( ) ( )
)
log 20
(
10
u
u u u
i i i
t
eqi
t
+
=
3
Larson Miller Parameter
4
Larson Miller Parameter
Equivalent heat treatment par ameter curves
17000
17500
18000
18500
19000
19500
20000
500
505
510
515
520
525
530
535
540
545
550
555
560
565
570
575
580
585
590
595
600
605
610
615
620
625
630
635
640
645
650
655
660
665
670
675
680
685
690
695
700
705
710
715
720
725
730
735
740
745
750
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
durati on (hours)
t
e
m
p
e
r
a
t
u
r
e

(

C
)
LMP=T(K).(20+log(t(hours)))
5
Influence of tempering parameter on UTS
for A542DCl4a ( Standar d fabrications)
500
550
600
650
700
750
800
20000 20200 20400 20600 20800 21000 21200 21400 21600
Tempering parameter
U
T
S

(
M
P
a
)
Max UTS : 760MPa
Min UTS : 585MPa
Range of acceptable LMP conditions
LMP shall be :
> 20100 in the as delivered condition, which dictates min Tempering
< 21300 after max PWHT (can now be increased with fine-tuning)
Example of Acceptable LMP: CrMoV
6
Examples from Industry
2 actual CrMoV examples from 2010-2011:
1. T 730C/4h* + ISR 675C/40h + PWHT 710C/32h

LMP 21333
(T 1346F/4h* + ISR 1247F/40h + PWHT 1310F/32h)
2. T 750C/3h* + ISR 670C/50h + PWHT 710C/32h

LMP 21418
(T 1382F/3h* + ISR 1238F/50h + PWHT 1310F/32h)
*Tempering duration is a function of thickness
7
1. T 730C/4h + ISR 675C/40h + PWHT 710C/32h

LMP 21333
(T 1346F/4h* + ISR 1247F/40h + PWHT 1310F/32h)
Influence of tempering parameter on UTS
500
550
600
650
700
750
800
20000 20200 20400 20600 20800 21000 21200 21400 21600
Tempering parameter
U
T
S

(
M
P
a
)
Max UTS : 760MPa
Min UTS : 585MPa
Tempering 730C Tempering 730C +ISR +PWHT Max
Examples from Industry
8
2. T 750C/3h + ISR 670C/50h + PWHT 710C/32h

LMP 21418
(T 1382F/3h* + ISR 1238F/50h + PWHT 1310F/32h)
Influence of tempering parameter on UTS
500
550
600
650
700
750
800
20000 20200 20400 20600 20800 21000 21200 21400 21600
Tempering parameter
U
T
S

(
M
P
a
)
Max UTS : 760MPa
Min UTS : 585MPa
Tempering 750C Tempering 750C +ISR +PWHT Max
Examples from Industry
9
The counter proposal:
1. T 710C/4h + ISR 675C/40h + PWHT 710C/32h

LMP 21270

SAFE
(T 1310F/4h* + ISR 1247F/40h + PWHT 1310F/32h)
2. T 710C/3h + ISR 670C/50h + PWHT 710C/32h

LMP 21257

SAFE
( / * S / / )
Examples from Industry
Tempering parameter
Influence of tempering parameter on UTS
500
550
600
650
700
750
800
20000 20200 20400 20600 20800 21000 21200 21400 21600
U
T
S

(
M
P
a
)
Max UTS : 760MPa
Min UTS : 585MPa
Tempering 710C Tempering 710C +ISR +PWHT Max
10
Conclusions:
Requirements on Tempering very often lead to reduce the
acceptable PWHT:
- This is risky for base metal properties after PWHTmax
- This can lead to decrease the number of PWHT cycles
- This can even lead to decrease the PWHT Temperature
(welds properties?)
- This is useless for as-delivered conditions as UTS max must be respected
and thus a suitable minimum tempering must be applied.
More risky for base metal AND welds so what is the interest?
Conclusions