High Pressure Gas Quenching (HPGQ) with N2/He
High Pressure Gas Quenching (HPGQ) with N2/He
During High Pressure Gas Quenching (HPGQ) previously austenitized respectively thermochemically treated parts are quenched in an inert gas flow in a pressure range between 1 bar and 20 bar with gas velocities between 0,5m/s and 20m/s.
Depending on the geometry and the steel-grade of the quenched component, either helium or nitrogen is used. Helium provides a stronger quench-intensity and is therefore recommended for components with lower hardenability or for components with larger wall thicknesses.
HPGQ is combined in most cases with a vacuum heat treatment such as low pressure carburizing (LPC). HPGQ is usually followed by a tempering process.
The goal of the gas quenching process is to improve hardness. Upon completion of austenitization, the parts are subjected to HPGQ in order to change the microstructure from austenite into martensite, thus obtaining the desired increase in hardness.
During High Pressure Gas Quenching (HPGQ) previously austenitized respectively thermochemically treated parts are quenched in an inert gas flow in a pressure range between 1 bar and 20 bar with gas velocities between 0,5m/s and 20m/s.
Depending on the geometry and the steel-grade of the quenched component, either helium or nitrogen is used. Helium provides a stronger quench-intensity and is therefore recommended for components with lower hardenability or for components with larger wall thicknesses.
HPGQ is combined in most cases with a vacuum heat treatment such as low pressure carburizing (LPC). HPGQ is usually followed by a tempering process.
The goal of the gas quenching process is to improve hardness. Upon completion of austenitization, the parts are subjected to HPGQ in order to change the microstructure from austenite into martensite, thus obtaining the desired increase in hardness.
High pressure gas quenching is an environmentally friendly and low distortion quench process compared to liquid quenching such as oil, polymer or water. The “dry” gas quenching has the following advantages compared to liquid quenching:
- metallic, blank surfaces of parts after heat treatment, no washing of parts necessary
- Environmentally friendly process (no disposal of oil, salt bath residues or detergent residues)
- Full flexibility to control quench intensity
- Potential to reduce heat treat distortion (unwanted changes of the part-geometry during heat treatment in form and size)
High Pressure Gas Quenching
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