Brinell hardness reliability
Brinell hardness reliability
(OP)
Are Brinell hardness values concrete proof that a weld joint is mechinally safe after PWHT. For example P1 to P5A material using E9018-B3 with a hardness of 138 parent material,165 HAZ, 207 weld material, 135 HAZ, and 131 parent material. Are these hardness values for this type of joint acceptable?





RE: Brinell hardness reliability
Portable hardness testing can be used as a process control check, nothing more. If the hardness test results are within an acceptable range for the service duty of the component (or based on client's specification requirements) along with other process checks (review of PWHT temp range and time charts, etc), the hardness would verify PWHT was performed.
Mechnically safe???? You have more than just PWHT requirements and hardness to deal with, you can have NDT requirements, which are equally as important regarding performance of a weld joint in service.
The hardness you mention are acceptable to what I would expect for the given dissimilar weld joint welded with E9018 B3.
RE: Brinell hardness reliability
RE: Brinell hardness reliability
RE: Brinell hardness reliability
RE: Brinell hardness reliability
I think if the reading varies 1/10 times on a calibration block it is not calibrated. Our electronic one doesn't have that , especially on a rougher surface.
All that is slightly off topic but answer is given, no way is brinell hardness concrete proof. Just more information to be used in your evaluation.
Not all specs even call for a hardness check PWHT?