Reduce Quenchant Drag-out
Metal products, while leaving the quenching containers, carry drag-outs of the quenchant. These drag-outs contaminate the subsequent water rinse and cleaning bath oils, leading to increased waste generation, higher disposal costs, and resource loss.
To effectively reduce drag-outs, it’s crucial to provide sufficient time for the quenchant to fall out of the parts before completely removing them from the quenching compartments. Decreasing removal rates, extending hang times, replacing trays with racks, orienting parts properly on racks, and switching to less viscous media can all contribute to reducing drag-out losses. Additionally, switching from oil and salt bath media to alternatives, such as polymeric media whenever possible, can significantly reduce waste from quenching. Furthermore, industries should establish proper guidelines for removing products from the quenching process to minimize quenchant drag-outs. Proper training for employees can also play a vital role in reducing waste lead from quenchant drag-outs.