Aqueous polymer quenchants: How do they work and what are the differences?

Aqueous polymer quenchants are being used increasingly as replacements for oil quenchants because of their superior fire resistance, biodegradability, environmental toxicity properties. However, it is being shown increasingly that aqueous polymer quenchants offer significant performance advantages as well. Since there are a number of aqueous polymer quenchants available, it is important that the differences in the performance properties of there materials be understood In this paper, the major types of polymer quenchants available and their quenchant properties will be discussed.