Cooling curves of polyacrylate quenchants

The cooling curves of the polyacrylate solutions can be almost straight, which is the
result of the extended vapor phase and reduced heat extraction during the boiling
phase. This unique property of the polyacrylate quenchants allows their applications
for hardening of crack-susceptible parts made of high-hardenability steels.
Applications of this kind usually are not possible with any other polymer quenchants,
or else they require much higher concentrations of the polymer. Comparison of
cooling curves of a polyacrylate quenchant with those of water, conventional
quenching oil, and a few typical polymer quenchants is shown in the graphs.
Specifically, the graphs show the cooling rates of different polymer quenchants at
20% concentration at temperatures of 25 and 60C (80 and 140F). PVA = polyvinyl
alcohol; PAG = polyalkylene glycol; PVP = polyvinyl pyrrolidone.
Volume 4A, Steel Heat Treating Fundamentals and Processes ->Steel Quenching
Fundamentals and Processes -> Quenching of Steel -> Polymer Quenchants