Water quenching

Hardening of plain carbon steels demands a very fast quench from the austenitising temperature and water, (or brine solution when an even more drastic quench is required, such as with heavier sections), provides an economic method. Large components, many up to several tons in weight, such as pipeline fittings and housings for the oil & gas industry are routinely water quenched. The external cooling systems required are a significant aspect of this method nowadays, when environmental and cost considerations have resulted in the early ‘throw away’ water discharge systems being no longer used. Quench agitation and flow controls are also critical to ensure that uniform hardening is achieved.