METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POST WELD HEAT TREATMENT OF ALUMINIUM ALLOY COMPONENTS, AND A WELDED ALUMINIUM COMPONENT TREATED ACCORDING TO THE METHOD

摘要

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 provides that the 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 contains 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.