Method and apparatus for Post Weld Heat Treatment of aluminium alloy components, and a welded aluminium alloy component treated according to the method

摘要

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) of a welded aluminium alloy component and a welded aluminium alloy component treated according to the method. The welded component has initially heat affected zones with reduced load bearing capacity. The method comprises that the said heat affected zones are located, applying a heat source at least at one first location of said heat affected zones, where the heat source generates a temperature above Tmin, and where the heat source can be kept at said location for at least a period tmin. The apparatus comprises a heat source relatively movable with regard to the component, and further being able to be positioned on defined positions thereof, the heat source further being controllable with regard to temperature and resting time that influence the heat transferred to the component at said local position. According to the invention, the areas of heat affected zones along the weld are enlarged by PWHT for enhanced force distribution across the weld, thereby providing an improvement of the load bearing properties of the component.