Quench & Tempering Material to Yield Better Properties
Quench & Tempering Material to Yield Better Properties
(OP)
My company has a request from our customer to quench and temper a small vessel made of 410SS. They would like to do this to be able to take credit for better material properties to be used in ASME Code calculations. I believe there is a section of the code that deals with being able to use upgraded properties like this but I haven't found it. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Also, what guidance does the code give regarding recertifying a material to another, "better for the application" grade if we (a company other than the mill) perform such things as Q&T?
Thanks for any help.
Also, what guidance does the code give regarding recertifying a material to another, "better for the application" grade if we (a company other than the mill) perform such things as Q&T?
Thanks for any help.





RE: Quench & Tempering Material to Yield Better Properties
RE: Quench & Tempering Material to Yield Better Properties
If the material has been procured prior to completion and has not been welded or fabricated, you can quench and temper the 410 material to a specific strength level. Additional testing will be necessary to ensure compliance with SA 240.
RE: Quench & Tempering Material to Yield Better Properties
We have the unwelded material and have not begun working on the vessel. What do you mean by "you can quench and temper the 410 material to a specific strength level."?
Also,where does the code say this is allowable? I apologize for the elementary questions regarding this process; it is not something I have dealt with before and am trying to gain a little understanding.
Thanks again.
RE: Quench & Tempering Material to Yield Better Properties
You probably have procured SA 240 Type 410 stainless steel plate. The question is can you temper the material further to remain above the minimum tensile properties and give you margin for toughness. Another options is to have a separate heat treatment performed (Quench and Temper) and re-certify the material to SA 240 by mechanical testing. These options all depend on what you have in your Quality Manual as an ASME Certificate Holder and approval from the AI.