25th November 2019

wikipedia
13

Why do you quench steel in oil?

When hardness can be sacrificed, mineral oils are often used. These oil based fluids often oxidize and form a sludge during quenching, which consequently lowers the efficiency of the process. The quenching velocity (cooling rate) of oil is much less than water.

So, what kind of oil is used to harden steel?

Oil is the most commonly used quench liquid especially if you are unsure of the exact chemical composition of your steel. Common oils used are vegetable, mineral, cottonseed or whale oil. Oil cools the steel more slowly than water which makes it less prone to cracking but hardens just as much as water.
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