Hi All,
I am a professional heat treater and I have a peculiar query. I am basicall= y doing heat treatment of High Speed Steel (HSS). Now the thing is in HSS h= eat treatment we do a process of QUENCHING (600 Deg Celcius) which is done = after AUSTENISING (1200 deg Celcius).
Now we are currently using a SALT of Barium Chloride mixed with heavy quant= ities of Calcium for Austenising but the problem with this salt is that is = very corrosive. Now we wanted to change this salt to a less corrosive salt = and someone told us to use NaOH which has a melting point of 300 deg C and = melting point of 1200 deg C.
Now my question is tat is NaOH good for Quenching process, what is the maxi= mum temperature at which it is used without causing much of health hazards.
The temperature range required for this salt is 600~700 deg C.
Can any one let me know is the use of NaOH good or bad?
What precautions should be taken by the operators to avoid any mishap?