Introducing heat treatment for ASTM A234 GR WPB pipe fittings

Introducing heat treatment for ASTM A234 GR WPB pipe fittings can enhance their mechanical properties and ensure better performance in various applications, especially in environments with high temperature or pressure conditions.When it comes to ASTM A234 GR WPB pipe fittings, heat treatment plays a crucial role in ensuring their optimal performance and durability. Let’s explore the various heat treatment methods based on different forging and forming processes:

For hot-formed WPB fittings that are forged at temperatures below 980°C but higher than 620°C and cooled in still air, no heat treatment is required.

Elbow after heat treatment

For hot-formed WPB fittings forged at temperatures above 980°C, subsequent annealing, normalizing, or normalizing plus tempering should be carried out. However, hot-formed fittings with a size equal to or smaller than NPS4 do not require heat treatment.

Large WPB fittings with a size greater than NPS12 formed through localized heating should undergo annealing, normalizing, or normalizing plus tempering, regardless of the forming temperature. However, for fittings such as elbows, tees, laterals, reducers with carbon content below 0.26%, and size equal to or smaller than NPS12, heat treatment is not necessary if formed through localized heating.

heat treatment for ASTM A234 GR WPB pipe fittings

Cold-formed WPB fittings with a final forming temperature below 620°C should undergo normalizing or stress relief at a temperature between 595-690°C.

For WPB fittings manufactured using fusion welding, when the wall thickness exceeds 19mm, post-weld heat treatment should be carried out at a temperature between 595-675°C, or annealing, normalizing, or normalizing plus tempering can be performed.

By following the appropriate heat treatment procedures, the ASTM A234 GR WPB pipe fittings can achieve the desired mechanical properties, improved structural integrity, and enhanced resistance to various operating conditions. At Haihao Group, we ensure that our customers receive top-quality pipe fittings that have undergone the necessary heat treatment processes, delivering reliability and longevity to their piping systems.