What term describes heat applied after a welding operation?

The term that specifically refers to the application of heat after a welding operation is "Postheat." This process is often employed to address certain issues that can arise after welding, such as reducing residual stress, decreasing the likelihood of cracking, and improving the toughness of the weld metal.

Postheating is particularly important for materials that are susceptible to delayed cracking or when the heat-affected zone has a risk of embrittlement. It is a controlled heating that aims to bring the temperature of the welded structure up to a certain level and is maintained for a specified duration to achieve the desired metallurgical properties.

Other terms like preheat refer to heat applied before welding, while interheat is related to heat applied during the welding process. Continuous heat may not accurately describe a specific post-weld application and lacks the clarity that "postheat" provides.