Quenching of Steel,Quenching of Steel,Quenching of Steel,Quenching of Steel
QUENCHING refers to the process of rapidly cooling metal parts from the austenitizing or solution treating temperature,
typically from within the range of 815 to 870 °C (1500 to 1600 °F) for steel. Stainless and high-alloy steels may be
quenched to minimize the presence of grain boundary carbides or to improve the ferrite distribution but most steels
including carbon, low-alloy, and tool steels, are quenched to produce controlled amounts of martensite in the
microstructure. Successful hardening usually means achieving the required microstructure, hardness, strength, or
toughness while minimizing residual stress, distortion, and the possibility of cracking.
The selection of a quenchant medium depends on the hardenability of the particular alloy, the section thickness and shape
involved, and the cooling rates needed to achieve the desired microstructure. The most common quenchant media are
either liquids or gases. The liquid quenchants commonly used include:
· Oil that may contain a variety of additives
· Water
· Aqueous polymer solutions
· Water that may contain salt or caustic additives
The most common gaseous quenchants are inert gases including helium, argon, and nitrogen. These quenchants are
sometimes used after austenitizing in a vacuum.
The ability of a quenchant to harden steel depends on the cooling characteristics of the quenching medium. Quenching
effectiveness is dependent on the steel composition, type of quenchant, or the quenchant use conditions. The design of the
quenching system and the thoroughness with which the system is maintained also contribute to the success of the process.
Fundamentals of Quenching and Quenchant Evaluation
Fundamentally, the objective of the quenching process is to cool steel from the austenitizing temperature sufficiently
quickly to form the desired microstructural phases, sometimes bainite but more often martensite. The basic quenchant
function is to control the rate of heat transfer from the surface of the part being quenched.

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