Cooling performance of select mineral oil and polymer quenchants

Abstract

In the present investigation, quench severity was determined for industrial oil quenchants and varying concentrations of PAG polymer. Viscosity, thermal conductivity, density, flash point, and fire point were measured for all quenchants. Cooling curve parameters were determined based on cooling curve analysis ISO/DIS 9950 technique. An Inconel 600 probe was used for this purpose. Severity of quenching was determined based on the Grossmann technique. Viscosity and thermal conductivity had a significant effect on quench severity. Heat flux and HTC at the metal/quenchant interface were computed by both lumped capacitance and Inverse modeling techniques. The effect of ultrasonic and Tensi agitation on cooling curve parameters was assessed. Polymer quenchants of lower concentrations showed marginally higher heat transfer rates compared to water particularly during unagitated condition. Copyright 2014 by ASTM International.