Dependence of the Heat Transfer Coefficient at Quenching on Diameter of Cylindrical Workpieces

Abstract

Abstract For computer simulation of a quenching process, the fundamental prerequisite is to have the relevant heat transfer coefficient (HTC) calculated as function of workpiece’s surface temperature and time respectively. In order to calculate the HTC, experimental measurement of the temperature-time history (cooling curve) near the workpiece surface is necessary. In this investigation, cylindrical probes of 20, 50, and 80 mm diameter are used. The cooling curve was measured always at 1 mm below the surface of the probe. Special care has been taken to keep all other factors (design of the probes, temperature measurement, quenching conditions, and calculation procedure), which can influence on the calculated HTC, constant to assure that the only variable is the diameter of the probe. Supposing a radially symmetrical heat flow at half length of the probe, the HTC was calculated using one-dimensional (1-D) inverse heat conduction method. The unexpected striking result of this investigation is the fact that for biggest probe diameter (80 mm), the calculated HTC as function of surface temperature does not show the film boiling phase. A plausible explanation of this effect is given based on the critical heat flux density. The possibility to establish a simple fixed relation (a correction factor) between the HTC and the diameter of cylinders is discussed.