KYCaster
07-21-2006, 03:28 AM
Possum asked a question about quenching in the cast boolits section which led to a discussion of the TECHINCAL aspects of heat treating. Rather than hijack his thread I'll post this here in Off Topic.
When I worked in the factory making permanent magnets, a big part of my job involved heat treating. Mainly concerning QC and process development.
One day, the head of our department (PHD in metalurgical engineering) came out in the shop with a five gal. bucket of quenching oil that was the solution to one of our chronic problems, quench from 2100deg. F to room temp. as fast as possible without fracturing the material. Part of the problem was the vapor barrier around the material retarding the heat transfer and this oil with its higher flash point (850* vs. 650*) was the answer to every problem since the invention of bronze alllys.
"OK", sez I, "I'll get a five pound sample and try it". "No", sez he, "I want to duplicate the production process, so use one of the 80 lb. production lots".
"Well", I asked, "If you want to duplicate the production process, wouldn't a 55gal. drum of oil work a little better?" "This is what we've got. Just do it." was his reply. So I asked, "Since this is your project, I assume you want to be here to see the results?"......."Of course."
So, time for the test, he shows up with two other engineers and the rep. from the oil company. I poured four gal. of the oil into a metal bucket, he sez, "aren't you going to use all of it?" (Archamedes was rolling over in his grave) So I filled it to the top.
I made them wait while I donned my costume, towel to cover the back of my neck, insulated welder's cap, welder's leather jacket, leather apron, welder's gloves and full face shield. They seemed to be amused at my caution.
Finally ready, I took the tray from the furnace and gingerly placed it in the bucket, then beat a hasty retreat. As I passed my assembled audience, I heard the WOOF and felt the heat on my back. I thought I would be trampled in the stampeed!
Jerry
When I worked in the factory making permanent magnets, a big part of my job involved heat treating. Mainly concerning QC and process development.
One day, the head of our department (PHD in metalurgical engineering) came out in the shop with a five gal. bucket of quenching oil that was the solution to one of our chronic problems, quench from 2100deg. F to room temp. as fast as possible without fracturing the material. Part of the problem was the vapor barrier around the material retarding the heat transfer and this oil with its higher flash point (850* vs. 650*) was the answer to every problem since the invention of bronze alllys.
"OK", sez I, "I'll get a five pound sample and try it". "No", sez he, "I want to duplicate the production process, so use one of the 80 lb. production lots".
"Well", I asked, "If you want to duplicate the production process, wouldn't a 55gal. drum of oil work a little better?" "This is what we've got. Just do it." was his reply. So I asked, "Since this is your project, I assume you want to be here to see the results?"......."Of course."
So, time for the test, he shows up with two other engineers and the rep. from the oil company. I poured four gal. of the oil into a metal bucket, he sez, "aren't you going to use all of it?" (Archamedes was rolling over in his grave) So I filled it to the top.
I made them wait while I donned my costume, towel to cover the back of my neck, insulated welder's cap, welder's leather jacket, leather apron, welder's gloves and full face shield. They seemed to be amused at my caution.
Finally ready, I took the tray from the furnace and gingerly placed it in the bucket, then beat a hasty retreat. As I passed my assembled audience, I heard the WOOF and felt the heat on my back. I thought I would be trampled in the stampeed!
Jerry