APPENDIX D — NONMANDATORY
PREHEATING
D-100 CONSIDERATIONS DETERMINING
NEED TO PREHEAT
Preheating may be employed during welding to assist
in completion of the welded joint. The need for and
temperature of preheat are dependent on a number of
factors, such as the chemical analysis, degree of restraint
of parts being joined, elevated physical properties, and
heavy thickness. Mandatory rules for preheating are,
therefore, not given in this Division, except as required
in the Notes that provide for exemptions to postweld
heat treatment in Table AF-402.1.
D-110 SOME SUGGESTED PRACTICES
(a) Some practices used for preheating are given
below as a general guide for the materials listed by
P-Numbers and Group numbers in Section IX. It is
cautioned that the preheating temperatures listed below
do not necessarily insure satisfactory completion of the
welded joint, and requirements for individual materials
within the P-Number and Group numbers listing may
have preheating more or less restrictive than this general
guide. The procedure specification for the material being
welded specifies the minimum preheating requirements
of the welding procedure qualification requirements of
Section IX.
(b) The heat of welding may assist in maintaining
preheat temperatures after the start of welding and, for
inspection purposes, temperature checks can be made
near the weld. The method or extent of application of
preheat is not, therefore, specifically given. Normally,
when materials of two different P-Number groups are
joined by welding, the preheat used will be that of
the material with the higher preheat specified in the
procedure specification.
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D-120 SUGGESTED PREHEAT
TEMPERATURES
D-120.1 Suggested Temperatures for P-No. 1
(a) 175°F (79°C) for material which has both a
specified maximum carbon content in excess of 0.30%
and a thickness at the joint in excess of 1 in. (25 mm).
This does not apply to fillet welds 1⁄2 in. (13 mm) and
under in size used to attach insulation clips, vessel
internals, and other parts not carrying loadings due to
internal pressure.
(b) 50°F (10°C) for all other materials in this P-
Number.
D-120.3 Suggested Temperatures for P-No. 3
(a) 175°F (79°C) for material which has either a
specified minimum tensile strength in excess of 70,000
psi (480 MPa) or a thickness at the joint in excess of
5
⁄8 in. (16 mm).
(b) 50°F (10°C) for all other materials in this P-
Number.
D-120.4 Suggested Temperatures for P-No. 4
(a) 250°F (121°C) for material which has either a
specified minimum tensile strength in excess of 60,000
psi (410 MPa) or a thickness at the joint in excess of
1
⁄2 in. (13 mm).
(b) 50°F (10°C) for all other materials in this P-
Number.
D-120.5 Suggested Temperatures for P-Nos. 5A,
5B, and 5C
(a) 400°F (204°C) for material which has either a
specified minimum tensile strength in excess of 60,000
psi (410 MPa) or has both a specified minimum chro-
mium content above 6.0% and a thickness at the joint
in excess of 1⁄2 in. (13 mm).
(b) 300°F (149°C) for all other materials in these
P-Numbers.
D-120.6 Suggested Temperatures for P-No. 6.
400°F (204°C).
D-120.7 Suggested Temperatures for P-No. 7.
None.
 D-120.8 2001 SECTION VIII — DIVISION 2 D-120.41

D-120.8 Suggested Temperatures for P-No. 8.

None.
D-120.9 Suggested Temperatures for P-Nos. 9A
and 9B. 300°F (149°C).
D-120.10 Suggested Temperatures for P-No. 10
(a) For P-No. 10A, 300°F (149°C) with interpass
temperature maintained between 350°F and 450°F
(177°C and 232°C).
(b) For P-No. 10F, 250°F (121°C).
D-120.11 Suggested Temperatures for P-No. 11
(a) For P-No. 11A Gr. No. 1: for 9% nickel steel
preheat is neither required nor prohibited.1
(b) For P-No. 11B Gr. Nos. 1–6: same as for P-
No. 3.1
D-120.21 Suggested Temperatures for P-Nos. 21
to 24, Inclusive. None.
D-120.31 Suggested Temperatures for P-Nos. 31
to 35, Inclusive. None.
D-120.41 Suggested Temperatures for P-Nos. 41
to 44, Inclusive. None.

1
Consideration shall be given to the limitation of interpass temperature
for various thicknesses to avoid detrimental effects on the mechanical
properties of heat treated materials.

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