Al-Fe Heat Treating, Fort Wayne, Ind., has added glycol quenching to its list of Nadcap-accredited aluminum heat treat services at its plant in Wadsworth, Ohio. All aerospace and military applications are processed at the Wadsworth plant. Glycol reduces distortion, which makes it ideal for certain metals and applications. Different metals need different media, and glycol is an option for those that are not optimized by standard water or air treatment.
Cold water works for most metals, but will also give the most distortion. Warm water reduces distortion, but metals lose strength, hardness and flexibility. Glycol can cost more, but it is worth it when products are finished with less distortion and the required mechanical properties.Both the Wadsworth and Wabash plants provide both low- and high-volume aluminum heat treating with glycol quenching for automotive and commercial applications where water or air just won’t do.
