ISSN: 1546-962X
CODEN: JAIOAD
Published Online: 8 December 2009
Page Count: 8

The Effect of Agitation and Quenchant Temperature on the Heat Transfer Coefficients for 6061 Aluminum Alloy Quenched in Distilled Water

Maniruzzaman, Mohammed
Center for Heat Treating Excellence, Materials Science and Engineering Program, Mechanical Engineering Dept., Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Worcester, MA

Fontecchio, Marco
Center for Heat Treating Excellence, Materials Science and Engineering Program, Mechanical Engineering Dept., Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Worcester, MA

Sisson, Richard D.
Center for Heat Treating Excellence, Materials Science and Engineering Program, Mechanical Engineering Dept., Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Worcester, MA

(Received 25 April 2008; accepted 13 October 2009)

Abstract

A 6061 aluminum alloy probe was quenched using a Center for Heat Treating Excellence probe-quenching system in distilled water while varying bath temperature and the agitation level. Time versus temperature data were collected during the quench using a thermocouple embedded inside the probe. The surface heat transfer coefficients as a function of temperature were calculated using the Newtonian cooling approximation. The maximum heat transfer coefficient values ranged from 1054 W/m²⋅K for 100°C water with no agitation to 3822 W/m²⋅K for 5°C water with the agitation of 1850 r/min. The data also showed that at higher levels of agitation and lower bath temperatures, the maximum heat transfer coefficient increased.

Keywords:
quenching heat treatment, CHTE quench probe, aluminum alloy, heat transfer coefficients, water quench

Paper ID: JAI101840
DOI: 10.1520/JAI101840
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