Original Article

Investigation of mechanical properties and microstructures on both-side spray quenching methodology

Spray Boiling Heat Transfer Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India

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Received: 22 August 2023
Accepted: 17 December 2025

Abstract

For the attainment of uniform microstructure, high hardness, high tensile strength, and low coolant consumption characteristics, quenching was performed on both surfaces of the hot metal. Novel coolants were used to maintain a high-flux spray, and the results were compared with water. As the precise procedure for accomplishing the foregoing is not readily available in the open literature, an effort was made to develop the process utilising the discussed method in the present work. Spray quenching experiments were conducted on an AISI 1020 steel plate, and then the heat-treated samples were subsequently characterized for the evaluation of microstructure and mechanical properties. Finally, the obtained values were also compared with traditional methodologies, such as only quenching from upward side or downward side. The result clearly indicates the attainment of a uniform microstructure profile for cooling performed on both sides. The achieved hardness is 3.5 times that of as-received steel. Furthermore, the achieved tensile strength value is almost three times that of as-received steel. The thermal analysis indicates that minimum coolant consumption is achieved in the case of quenching performed on both sides of the plate.