Quenching of Induction Heated Steel^[1]

Induction heating for hardening of steels has advantages from the standpoint of quenching because parts are individually processed in a controlled manner. This article provides information on the effect of agitation, temperature, hardening, residual stresses, and quenching media, on quenching. It also describes various quenching methods for steel induction heat treating, namely, spray quenching, immersion quenching, self or mass quenching, and forced air quenching. The article also reviews quench system design and quenchants and their maintenance.