Gas quenching system and method for minimizing distortion of heat treated parts

Described herein is a method for quenching a hot metal part. The method may comprise selecting a first node located at about a slowest cooling point of the metal part and a second node located at about a fastest cooling portion of the metal part. The method may also comprise quenching the metal part to a finish temperature with the requirement that there is a temperature difference of between about 5° C. and about 30° C. during a quench cycle. The quench cycle may start from a first time when the second node is about 5° C. above a martensite start temperature of the specific metal or metal alloy of the metal part, and end at a second time when the first node is at a temperature which is about or below a martensite finish temperature of the specific metal or metal alloy.