johnc Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Steel is ideally a uniform crystalline structure at room temps. Through controlled heat treatment (and quench is one form of heat treatment) that crystalline structure can be modified to impart different attributes (strength, hardness, ductility, etc.) Fast quench (immediate and complete submerging in temperature controlled oil or water/salt bath) is used to freeze a uniformly heated and cooled part at whatever crystallization point is desired. Through uncontrolled heat treatment (pouring water on just welded parts) you end up with a haphazard crystalline structure that is much more prone to fracture along the differing grain boundaries. You end up with a part that is not homogenous and will react poorly to load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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