Sustainability of Die-Assisted Quenching Technology and Comparison with Traditional Processes

The open tank oil quenching process is a traditional heat treatment that gives the final microstructures and performance to high quality mechanical parts, typically made by alloyed steels. Due to the microstructure transformations that occur during a heat treatment, the heat treated mechanical part is subjected to shape modifications and distortions. In order to match design tolerances, a machining allowance must be planned and re-machining operations must be realised. The die-assisted oil quenching process utilises a hydraulic press in order to apply a high pressure through a die to the mechanical part during the cooling stage of the heat treatment. The force exerted by the die on the part determines a reduction of distortions along with the control of the shape and of certain dimensions depending on the part geometry and the die design. In the present paper, the technical sustainability of the die-assisted oil quenching process is discussed and compared with the traditional heat treatment in terms of distortion control and reduction of machining operations.