Is it OK to quench a weld?

[jweaver]

If I do a small project (a bracket) and want to crack on, is it OK to quench the part?

I am thinking that since its red hot, cooling it quickly could make it brittle.

Whats the correct approach? Should you let welds cool slowly/naturally?

Jon

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

I wouldent, thermal shock isnt good, makes things brittle, be patiant man

 

[Drains]

You shouldn't really quench as there's a possibility of brittleness - how brittle will depend on the alloy of steel (or whatever) being welded and the filler material. Plain old mild steel won't brittle up because of the low carbon levels, but the weld is likely to. Added to that, you're more likely to get distortion from rapid cooling.
If the job isn't critical, you could quench. Not best to make a habit of it though.

 

[super noob]

Could you quench in hot ish oil ? So its not a super rapid cooldown but still quicker than waiting ?

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

its a realy bad habbit to get in to, just be paitent

 

[chevy2]

Get a kettle and make a cuppa, should be cool enough then.

As others said try not to be impatient,
find other stuff to do while welds are cooling even if you only sweep up.

 

[chunkolini]

Distant memories here.
I made a sculpture, loads of welding involved, it was jolly hot.
I quenched it. It needed a hole drilling in it. i t was a bast' to drill the hole, burned out several drills.
The hole was drilled in the lower jaw to allow the tongue to be fitted.


Did I temper the workpiece and harden it?
These days I do the welding and leave it to cool down naturally, have a cuppa, wonder about etc thinking it should anneal itself.

 

[brightspark]

a tip on drilling a hardened piece of metal buy a standard masonary drill sharpen the edges the same as a standard twist drill . spot heat the aeria with oxy acetylene torch and drill through it works well on shortening and drilling hss mechanical hacksaw blades bought cheap

 

[chevy2]

a tip on drilling a hardened piece of metal buy a standard masonary drill sharpen the edges the same as a standard twist drill . spot heat the aeria with oxy acetylene torch and drill through it works well on shortening and drilling hss mechanical hacksaw blades bought cheap

I can buy those tipped drill bits pre-ground for metal drilling from the locksmiths i use in my day job.

 

[brightspark]

I can buy those tipped drill bits pre-ground for metal drilling from the locksmiths i use in my day job.

just found out screwfix do them for 4 quid i only pay 90 p though so i sharpen em

 

[chevy2]

just found out screwfix do them for 4 quid i only pay 90 p though so i sharpen em

Wonderful! 4 for the price of one.
Should have said i get them for the day job but the company buys them

 

[brightspark]

Wonderful! 4 for the price of one.
Should have said i get them for the day job but the company buys them

i book em through my buisness so get em tax deductable