Quenching Stainless Steel Welds

[Seeker88]

Hi all,

Just a quick question as posed to me today by a coilleague. What would happen if you poured a bucket of cold water directly onto a stainless steel butt weld the intstant that the welding has been completed?

Is the answer the same for most grades in the 300 series of stainless steels or do we have to take into account weld thickness, type of weld etc?

Sorry if its basic but just looking for a quick answer.

Many thanks

 

[metengr]

Yes, the answer is the same for 3XX series stainless steel - nothing will happen to alter the mechanical properties. The austenitic stainless steels are not hardened by thermal treatment (heating and quenching). You will get some residual stress only.

 

[DG72]

Cracks due to thermal expansion/contraction as the weld cools?

 

[metengr]

No.

 

[ndeguy]

Why would it be directly ? Even with AUT on pipelay barges there is usually a delay between breaking the arc and hosing down the weld with water. It went against my perceived knowledge when I first experienced this, but now hosing down is common practice on pipeline welds.

Nigel Armstrong
Lloyds Register
Independent Verification Body Surveyor