Hydrolic oil as a quenchant

[Mark Van Loon]

i recently got a hold of around 20 gal. of hydrolic oil and i have never used this as a quenchant, ( i've only used water so far) is it suitable as a quench medium? and would it be classified as a light or heavy type of oil? i plan on trying it out on some 1065-1084-1095 clay coated blades. when i water quench i interrupt the quench after a few seconds, is this needed with an oil quench?

 

[Bruce Bump]

Hi Mark. Light hydraulic oil makes a fine quenchant for the steels you have mentioned. The 1095 will benefit better with a brine or your exciting method of interupting the cooling after a few seconds in water. Do not interrupt the cooling using oil or full hardness will not happen.