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Quenching Fluids
In the field of heat treatment, quenching fluids play a crucial role in improving the mechanical properties of materials. The choice of quenching fluid is essential to ensure optimal performance and consistent quality. Quenching is a thermal process that involves heating a metal (steel, aluminum) to a high temperature and then rapidly cooling it in a fluid (oil, water, or polymer). For steel, this operation alters its crystal structure, thereby increasing its hardness and wear resistance. This process is fundamental in many industries, such as automotive, aerospace, fasteners, steel manufacturing, and tool production.
The quality of the quenching fluid directly affects the cooling rate and the uniformity of the heat treatment, two crucial factors for achieving the desired mechanical properties. Selecting the right fluid helps reduce the risk of deformation or cracking of the treated parts and ensures the desired properties:
- Hardness
- Resilience
- Wear resistance
- Tensile strength
- Elongation to fracture
There are several types of quenching fluids, each with its own characteristics and specific applications depending on the type of heat treatment (quenching, tempering, annealing, superficial or mass quenching, vacuum quenching, press quenching, etc.) and the furnace used (batch furnace, rotary retort furnace, vacuum furnace, etc.). The most common fluids are oils, polymers, and synthetic water-soluble fluids.
Quenching Oils
Oils are among the most widely used quenching fluids. They offer good thermal stability and control over the cooling rate. Depending on their composition (mineral oils, synthetic oils, etc.), oils can be more or less viscous, which influences the cooling speed and the formation of internal stresses. They enable the heat treatment of steels with low to high hardenability. MotulTech has developed a range covering all quenching applications, from cold quenching to hot quenching at 180°C, to meet your technical, safety, and regulatory requirements. With our expertise, we can assist you in using synthetic cold quenching oils to reduce your energy impact and improve site safety (reducing fumes, increasing bath longevity, and using a fluid free of zinc or heavy metals).
Polymers
In the form of a water-soluble concentrate, these are often used as alternatives to oils, offering lower heat emissions. These solutions are becoming increasingly popular in the context of reducing environmental risks and operating costs. They are typically used for superficial induction heating. MotulTech can help you implement quenching polymers to eliminate fire risks and the emission of fumes that may contain hazardous compounds like PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons).
Water-Soluble Fluids
These fluids, available as water-soluble concentrates, provide faster cooling than oils or quenching polymers but can present a higher risk of deformation or cracking. To mitigate these effects, these fluids contain specific additives and are generally used in superficial heat treatment or in tempering. Depending on your needs, MotulTech offers water-soluble fluids that not only enable heat treatment but also protect parts and machine components (inductors, machine frames) from corrosion or provide a blackened finish to parts.
The choice of quenching fluid depends on several technical factors, such as the composition of the steel, the size of the parts to be treated, and customer specifications. A good fluid supplier will guide clients in selecting the most suitable fluid based on the specific needs of each project. We are a recognized supplier in the field with years of experience and proven expertise. Our products are tested and validated by industry professionals to ensure that we offer solutions tailored to your processes. Whatever your industry (automotive, aerospace, metallurgy, etc.), we provide fluids that meet the requirements of your heat treatments, ensuring the quality and reliability of your productions. By choosing our quenching oils and polymers, you benefit not only from high-quality products but also from responsive customer service, tailored technical advice, and fluid monitoring throughout its service life.