New quenching method to enhance product quality of continuously processed medium to high carbon and alloyed steel strips

Medium and high carbon steel strips require fast cooling within seconds to ensure precipitation-free quenching. In the following, we will discuss how a hydrogen gas stream may replace molten metal as a quenching medium. High alloy, martensitic Cr steel strip (e.g. AISI 420) transforms relatively slowly, leading to further development of existing hydrogen quench technology. Finally, we will review hardening and tempering technology with over-aging sections for dual and multiphase steels.