Abstract: A process for quenching metals, particularly steel, using as the quenching bath an aqueous composition containing (a) a substituted oxazoline polymer and (b) an N-vinyl heterocyclic polymer or copolymer in which the heterocyclic group is composed of carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen. The quenching bath provides reduced cooling rates through the martensite temperature ranges.

Abstract: Metal, such as steel, is quenched in a quenching bath comprising an aqueous solution of a substituted oxazoline polymer, one example of which is polyethyloxazoline having a molecular weight of 50,000 to 500,000. The bath is capable of providing quenching effects similar to those produced by oil quenchants, as well as quenching times between those provided by oil and water.

Abstract: Water-based hydraulic fluid for use in industrial hydraulic systems comprising (1) a polyether-based thickener, (2) a lubricant modifier (3) a dispersant, (4) an EP additive, and (5) water. Preferably, the thickener is a polyether polyol capped with an alpha olefin oxide; the lubricant modifier is a combination of a hydrocarbon oil, a fatty alcohol and a glycol; the dispersant is the reaction product of an alkenyl succinic anhydride and a dialkyl alkanolamine, and the EP additive is a dialkyl dithiophosphate.

Abstract: Aqueous quenching baths containing as an essential constituent a water-soluble salt of a copolymer of maleic, citraconic, or itaconic anhydride and a long chain alpha olefin are useful in quenching metal at cooling rates which are slower than that of water, and may be as slow as or slower than those obtained using a hydrocarbon oil as the quenching medium.

Abstract: A synthetic dual-purpose fluid for use as a hydraulic fluid and in metal cutting operations, particularly where hydraulic fluid leakage cannot be tolerated in hydraulically operated machines designed for metal cutting purposes. The fluid contains in combination 50-70% of an alkylene glycol, 10 to 25% of an alkanol amine, up to 10% boric acid, and 2 to 25% of a phosphate-modified condensation product of a fatty acid and a dialkanolamine.

Abstract: Austenitized ferrous metal, such as carbon steel, is quenched by means of an aqueous solution of a salt of polyacrylic acid which develops an extremely stable and uniform water vapor envelope surrounding the steel. Rate of cooling is controlled by (1) the molecular weight of the salt, (2) concentration of the salt in the solution, (3) solution temperature, and (4) the degree of agitation of the quenchant solution. In the case of carbon steel, by proper selection of the above variables, the austenitic structure of the hot steel may be directly transformed into non-martensitic structures of improved ductility, machinability and cold working properties, such as fine striped pearlite, without the necessity of further heat treatments, such as tempering, following quenching.The quenching solution may also be used to quench parts formed of alloy steel to obtain a martensitic structure without unwanted cracking and distortion. Non-ferrous metals may also be quenched using the polyacrylate quenching solution.