The effect of contamination on Cooling Curve Behavior of Polymer Quenchants

Polymer quenchants are commonly used for quenching of both ferrous and non-ferrous alloys.  The quality of water used varies throughout the globe, with some locations using very soft water, where other locations have very hard water.  The effect of water hardness on the cooling curve behavior of two polyalkylene glycol (PAG) quenchants with different corrosion inhibitor packages were examined.  Reference curves of the effect of water hardness on the cooling curve behavior of water was also examined.  Physical properties of the polymer solutions are compared and evaluated in terms of the water hardness used.  Properties evaluated include foaming, viscosity, pH, refractive index and other properties (including cooling curves).