Aluminum Quenching Technology: A Review

Quench hardenable aluminum alloys are typically quenched in cold water. When cracking or distortion is encountered, hot water is often the alternative quenchant. However, distortion reduction is often insufficient with hot water quenching or the design minimum physical properties may not be achieved. These problems are often successfully addressed by the use of a polymer quenchant. The mechanism and the use of polymer quenching is discussed here. Jominy hardenability tests have been performed in steel metallurgy for many years. However, until recently, this method has been successfully applied to obtain enormous insight into aluminum metallurgical issues. (Author)