EuroWire March 2016

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News
Technology
March 2016 58
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.
The LQF technology is 100 per cent
environmentally friendly and does not
release any hazardous fumes or other
health threats to the machine operators.
The company guarantees no rejects,
rework or scrap caused by lead-drag out.
The properties of the LQF-quenched
wire products are 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"-0.180").
Thermcraft Inc – USA
Website:
‘Green’ wire quenching technology
▲ ▲ LQF technology from Thermcraft is now in operation