Ralph P. Poor, Surface Combustion Inc., Maumee, Ohio, presented “Batch Integral Quench Furnace Innovations: Heating, Quenching, Automation” at Heat Treat 2013 in Indianapolis. Original batch integral quench (BIQ) furnace technology was introduced in the 1950’s, and the paper covered innovations for the 21st Century.
Sealed quench furnace designs mate a quench to a carburizing hot zone, with the goal of maximizing throughput and uniform properties. Faster heating rates may be achieved with newer designed heating systems which maintain temperature uniformity. The design of the quench has been optimized to provide uniform quench flow velocities with minimum spread. Furnace motion control and processing line automation will be discussed.
