Optimal Hardenability Steel and Its Future Worldwide Application

In the paper the problem of intensive quenching (IQ) of optimal hardenability (OH) steel in low concentration of water solutions that eliminates film boiling is widely discussed. Currently, for performing IQ processes complicated quench systems and highly costly technological processes are used resulting in the slow application of IQ technologies in the heat-treating industry. Also, there is no complete understanding of what makes OH steel unique, especially after quenching in low concentrations of water polymer solutions. The paper states that OH steel should be quenched in water polymer solutions of low concentration (1%–3%) agitated by hydrodynamic emitters to guarantee the absence of the film boiling process. Optimal results one can obtain if OH steel is composed according to patented methodology and is quenched in condition 0.8≤Kn≤1. All of this simplifies the quenching process resulting in acceleration and wide use of IQ technologies in the heat-treating industry.