In the industry, heat treatments are not only applied to small parts or local welds. There are large-scale equipment and structures that require highly controlled preheating and post-weld heat treatment processes to ensure their integrity. Among the main challenges of large-scale heat treatments are pressure vessels, offshore structures, and projects related to the nuclear sector.
Why are heat treatments critical in large equipment?
When working with heavy boilers, oil platforms, or offshore wind structures, the behavior of metals under heat can determine the safety and service life of the entire system. Poor thermal control can lead to:
- Cracks in welds.
- Accumulated internal stresses.
- Structural deformations.
- Loss of mechanical properties.
Key applications of large-scale heat treatments
Industrial heat treatments are applied in various scenarios that require advanced techniques and high-capacity equipment.
Heat treatment of pressure vessels
Heat treatment of pressure vessels is essential to relieve stresses and ensure material strength under extreme temperature and pressure conditions. These applications combine technologies such as induction treatments and resistance preheating.
Preheating in offshore structures
Jacket Offshore and Offshore Wind Jackets preheating is necessary to ensure the reliability of welds in demanding marine environments. Humidity, wind, and accelerated corrosion make precise thermal control essential during the construction of these structures.
![Offshore Jacket structures for marine wind farms]()
Preheating in oil platforms
In the Oil & Gas industry, preheating in oil platforms allows safe welding of large metal joints exposed to extreme conditions. Without these processes, the risk of structural failure would increase significantly.
Preheating of shells in rotators
Preheating of shells in rotators is another common application. This process is used to prepare large metal cylinders before welding, reducing stresses and improving joint quality.
Heat treatments in the nuclear sector
Nuclear heat treatment and nuclear preheating represent some of the most demanding challenges in the industry. Equipment and materials must meet very strict standards, making thermal control and monitoring systems essential to ensure safety.
Refractory materials and high-temperature solutions
In addition to preheating and post-welding, heat treatments are closely related to refractory materials: used in furnaces and boilers, they require controlled drying and curing processes to prevent premature failures. This is where the so-called High Temperature Solutions come into play — specific technologies that allow safe work at extreme temperature ranges.
Heat treatments in large-scale industrial equipment and structures require a combination of expertise, technology, and absolute temperature control. From pressure vessels to nuclear projects and offshore structures, preheating and post-weld treatments are essential steps to ensure safety, durability, and reliability in the most demanding industrial sectors.