06 Sep UNIBO – PROTERMGROUP

The use of mineral oils and vegetable oils to improve the sustainability of steel quenching.

Abstract of the activity

The Die Assisted Oil Quenching process is a highly customizable heat treatment that allows for a significant reduction in distortions, limiting or avoiding the need for subsequent grinding operations. The reduction of distortions can be achieved not only by adjusting process parameters and equipment but also by selecting appropriate quenching media. Nowadays, mineral oils are the most widely used quenching fluids. However, various innovative quenchants derived from oil-producing plants are available on the market as potential alternatives to these media. This variety poses a decision-making challenge that can profoundly influence the overall sustainability of the process.

This article presents a comparative study between a mineral oil and a vegetable oil. A preliminary analysis of the environmental impacts of the two quenching media is presented. Subsequently, experimental work was conducted to investigate the technical performance of the two media in terms of dimensional and metallurgical properties of the quenched parts. Additionally, oil mist measurements were taken during the quenching process to check for potential emission reductions. The experimental work highlighted better distortion control of the parts and comparable metallurgical microstructure when using vegetable oil for quenching. Moreover, no oil mist was observed with this quenching medium.

Links
16th Global Conference on Sustainable Manufacturing
Centro sulla Sostenibilità dell’università di Lexington