Dovo Lead Quench

matt321 · Post by **matt321** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 6:30 pm

I thought the molten lead quench was just a TI method. Is this showing the same thing at Dovo?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ACJrAI3SxM

(Thanks to homelessflea at B&B for finding this)

Tim Zowada · Post by **Tim Zowada** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 5:28 am

Most likely, it is heating (austenizing) in molten salt. Actually, the salt works better than lead. Hart Steel uses molten salt as well.

The actual quench (cooling) in the Dovo video is in oil.

Montecristo #2 · Post by **Montecristo #2** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 9:12 am

Awesome

Chap · Post by **Chap** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 10:37 am

The narration in the video says molten lead quite clearly, do you think they were taking artistic license?

Knowing only little bit about metallurgy, it is not immediately apparent to me why heating in lead would be superior to any other method of heating. Possibly Pb atoms could diffuse into surface grains, hardening them in the manner of a solid solution or carbide formation, or perhaps it is to do with reasons of quick or uniform heat transfer?

GollyMrScience · Post by **GollyMrScience** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 11:55 am

I am more familiar with lead used for annealing though it can be used in the tempering process - as Tim says though I think salt is the preferred method for many. I wonder why they consider it so special as to mention it?