The following chart lists the lessons learned for the PIC RAPID project.

These lessons are categorized by project knowledge area and

descriptions, impacts, and recommendations are provided for consideration on similar future new construction projects

Category Issue Name Problem/Success Impact Recommendation

PWHT is normally not applied to austenitic

stainless steels because they do not
transform Metallurgically to hard
microstructures (Martensite).
PWHT generating result in loss of strength
and reduction in corrosion resistance in the
The impact on the workload of heat affected zone due to growth of the
Clients (UPT) and Central titanium carbides as well zink formation
Directorate; requiring direct occurred to crack.
involvements by CD/Project
Austenitic Directorate manpower to perform generally made of ferritic alloy steels of
During the assessment of
Stainless coordination work and providing ASME P3 or P4 composition, PWHT is
Austenitic Stainless Steels
Quality Steels technical report, to overcome the applied to reduce hardness and increase
SA312 TP321 PWHT activity.
Welding SA312 TP321 crack. toughness of heat affected zones in which a
Observed TP 321 material crack
Management the heat of welding has caused metallurgical
at base metal.
P3 This allowed the project team to work transformation to a hard, brittle
Reformer with the contractors to smoothly microstructure. Similarly, PWHT is applied
ensure all materials were of to P (carbon steel) materials to reduce weld
acceptable quality and avoided any or HAZ hardness or to provide dimensional
re-work and delays associated with stability.
substandard material.
Always plan quality standards, analyzing
the reasons for applying PWHT to austenitic
stainless steels material and allowances into
the project plan. This helps to improve in
quality of welding and process and avoid
delays and cost overruns.