Abstract
The focus of this paper is on two types of heat-treatment baths: nitrate/nitrite molten-salt baths, and oil baths. Such baths are utilized to control the cooling of steels, alloys, and other metals, with the objective of preserving or modifying the surface conditions. However, fires and explosions can occur during the quenching of high- temperature metals, particularly if there are contaminants on the metals. The likelihood and consequences of such incidents can be assessed by searching the literature, by comparing the temperatures of the bath and the metals that are to be quenched, and by laboratory tests. The types of tests that can be conducted to determine the presence [or absence] of hazard are described, to aid in the evaluation of novel bath materials, or unusual metals or alloys. Also, personnel and property need to be protected from the hazards of high-temperature materials and from possible toxicity hazards to personnel.
