Authors
Abstract
This study is concerned with the effect of polymer quenching on some
properties of an austenitic stainless steel alloy (316L). Three different operations
of heat treatment have been done including quenching, quenching with tempering
and quenching with freezing. A comparison has been done between the effect of
polymeric quenchant i.e. water solution of poly vinyl alcohol (PVA)and the
conventional quenchants represented by distilled water, engine oil and food oil in
having better properties. Tests have been done to the original and heat treated
specimens which were Brinell hardness test, wear rate test and thermal
conductivity test. Results had revealed that the heat treatments generally enhance
the properties especially the treatment of quenching with freezing and in most
cases the polymeric quenchants gave better results than the conventional
quenchants. Also a simulation to the results of the experimental work has been
done by using the (Visual Basic language), and the results gave us an indication to
the behaviour of specimens’ properties at different concentrations of polymeric
quenchants over the range used in the experimental work, beside the great
possibilities of the program in display the experiments which help in training
engineers in heat treatment and testing fields.
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