Quenching and Distortion

Abstract

This article provides the basics of overall quench process distortion. It describes the influence of quenching processes on the generation of distortion. Examples for the distortion behavior of different types of components are presented. Then, comparisons between different quenching processes are provided. The article presents some possibilities for minimization of shape changes by the quenching process itself. Several suggestions are given for quenching processes in evaporating fluids. An example is provided for out-of-roundness reduction for rings by well-defined inhomogeneous quenching in a gas nozzle field. Another example shows how intensive and high-speed quenching can help to reduce the bending of shafts with an asymmetrical cross-section. The last example shows the result when external loads and nonsymmetric quenching act together. The article also presents test samples for the judgment about distortion potential arising from heat treatment equipment.