Development and Prospect of Vacuum High-Pressure Gas Quenching Technology

Abstract

As industrial modernization surges forward, the heat treatment industry strives for lower pollution, reduced oxidation and defects, minimized waste, and automatization. This paper reviews the mechanisms, processes, equipment, and simulations of the vacuum gas quenching technology, presenting a comprehensive account of the structure and working principle of a typical vacuum gas quenching furnace. Firstly, the mechanism of the heat transfer process, flow process, and flow–heat transfer–phase transition coupling were summarized. Then, the influences of process parameters on the mechanical properties and distortion of vacuum gas quenched workpieces, as well as the process optimization methods, were discussed. Finally, the advantages of vacuum gas quenching in energy saving, low pollution, and high efficiency were introduced, with the future development directions figured out.