When a piece of metal is entered into a gas-fired furnace, for instance, this exposes it to enough thermal energy to modify its base properties. When the time comes to cool the piece, metal quenching begins. You can do this by lowering the piece into a bath of oil or water, causing the piece to cool rapidly.

Metal quenching is used as a method of cooling hot pieces and retaining all of their heat-tailored properties. Thermal treatments normalize the pieces, harden them, and removes stresses to the piece due to the work previously done on it. Because so much effort is put into precisely heating a component, you want the properties to stay intact during cooling.

Quenching is used to harden metal parts, as well as steel. Water is commonly used in these tanks, but other properties can be achieved by changing the cooling medium. Oil and brine water can also be used, as well as high-pressure nitrogen quenching. It all depends on what material variations you desire. For instance, quenching stainless steel in water rapidly cools it until it transforms into its brittle configuration, requiring further tempering.

Controlled cooling of metal is just as important and heating it. It helps to control phase changes on the downward arc of the thermal cycle. A quenching bath must be carefully used as to not introduce material cracks and deformations. A well-supervised quenching station hardens components and prepares them for tempering. Fluid control elements such as oil and brine enhance mastery over the rapid cooling phase and introduce a versatile mechanism into the whole process.

Heat-treatments require two-step processes, such as heating, and cooling (thermal treatment, and quenching). Ensure the temperatures are correct for both heating and cooling to achieve the desired results for your metal parts.

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