3 Reasons To Use Post-Weld Heat Treatment
Posted on: 23 April 2020
Welding is one of the most reliable processes used to join two or more pieces of metal together. A variety of welding techniques can be used, depending on the raw metals and the intended application for your project. Once a weld joint has been created, it is common for the completed joint to undergo a post-weld heat treatment.
Learn more about the unique benefits post-weld heat treatment can offer so that you can better incorporate these services into your fabrication process in the future.
1. Manage Metal Stress
The metals involved in the welding process can undergo a significant amount of stress during fabrication. The chemical composition of raw metals can actually change when exposed to the extreme heats required for most welding processes.
Post-weld heat treatment involves raising the temperature of both the welded metals and the weld joint gradually and then allowing the metals to cool gradually in order to help each metal relax. This will make your welded materials easier to grind and cut during the finishing phase of the fabrication process.
2. Increase Metal Pliability
Tensile strength is something that matters in many finished metal products. Welding has the potential to reduce the tensile strength of raw metals as a result of exposure to extreme heat. As the welded area cools rapidly, the raw metals can become brittle. This reduces pliability and makes the metal more likely to snap or crack under pressure.
Post-weld heat treatment can help soften metals that have become too hard as a result of the welding process. Softening the metals can reduce brittleness and make the weld joint more flexible.
Using post-weld heat treatment to soften your finished welds can help extend the lifespan of the end-products you fabricate in your shop.
3. Improve Machinability
Many machines are used in the fabrication of metal products. These machines can sustain serious damage when working with hard metals. Incorporating post-weld heat treatment services into your fabrication process can be a great way to extend the life of your machines.
The heat applied in a methodical manner during post-weld treatment can make welded metals easier to work with. You can grind, cut, drill, and bend treated metals to the necessary dimensions without causing serious damage to the machines in your shop.
Post-weld heat treatment can play a beneficial role in helping you improve product quality and reduce flaws in the welded metal components you create.
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