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Wire & Cable ASIA – January/February 2015
Technologynews
Environmentally friendly
wire quenching technology
Graphics bigstockphoto.com Artist Olechowski
THERMCRAFT’S LQF technology is a
patented liquid-based quench
technology that can completely
replace the existing hazardous and
expensive technologies of molten lead,
molten salts and sand-based fluidised
beds.
LQF technology is now in operation as
a replacement for a molten lead bath,
quenching high carbon steel wire in the
1-2mm diameter range.
The latest LQF unit consists of three
cooling zones: two liquid zones
separated by a short air-cooling zone.
The LQF unit is installed immediately
at the exit of the patenting furnace.
The hot wires at ±920°C exit the
furnace and go directly into the first
liquid quench zone.
The length of each quench zone is
adjustable and determined by a target
wire temperature.
The amount of heat transfer in both
liquid zones is adjustable based on the
length of the liquid quench and the
air-liquid ratio.
The quench solution contains less than
two per cent concentration of
EcoQuench, Thermcraft’s proprietary
quenchant formula that consistently
forces convective heat transfer.
LQF technology is 100 per cent
environmentally friendly and does not
release any hazardous fumes or other
health threats to the machine
operators. There are also no rejects,
rework or scrap caused by lead-drag
out.
The properties of the LQF-quenched
wire products are claimed to be similar
or better than the products quenched
in conventional molten lead or salt or
fluidised bed.
The amount of pure pearlitic structure
in the patented steel wire is
significantly higher in wires quenched
using the LQF technology.
This feature will be beneficial in the
further process steps of wet drawing,
stranding and cabling.
Thermcraft offers the LQF technology
for quenching steel wire in the range of
1-4.5mm (0.038"-0.18").
Thermcraft Inc – USA
Website:
❍ Patented LQF technology from Thermcraft