Vol. 1, Issue 2, Part A (2019)

In the paper the physics of quenching the large steel components in water salt and polymer solutions are considered. It is shown that during immersion of steel samples into cold solution cooling process is intensive if any film boiling is completely absent. In this case martensite start temperature Ms should prevail saturation temperature Ts, i.e. Ms > Ts. Mechanism of creation a “shoulder” on the surface cooling curve during quenching in 18% water PAG solution is explained by existence of the self – regulated thermal process on the insulated layer and variation of its thickness. Obtained results of investigations are recommended to use for quenching recipes development and performing austempering processes via cold liquids to improve cardinally service life of hardened steel components. It is underlined in the paper that further progress in the field can be done if efforts of physician, mathematician and experts from heat treating industry are combined. Obtained results can be useful for practice and further scientific investigations.