Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Formulating a rust preventative spray for hot axles during cooldown
Q. I have a process in which spindles on Steel Axles are cooled down with a water spray. I currently have a product that I add to the water that does an alright job. I have noticed that triethanolamine is the main ingredient in many rust inhibitors. Can I add 99% triethanolamine directly to water and create an RP rinse? I am looking for the most cost effective method to cool down the parts and not create rust?
Brian ScottChemical Manager - Marysville, Ohio
2007
A. Sodium nitrite (NaNO2) or potassium nitrite (KNO2) is less expensive. More of a health hazard though, especially with spraying. Triethanolamine is mostly a pH buffer and an inhibitor of acid attack. Check your quenchant's MSDS; a minor ingredient such as a nitrite or an azole may be the actual corrosion inhibitor.
Triethanolamine also has the disadvantage of having a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Screening Threshold Quantity of 'Any Amount.'
See this site's News post of June 26.
Check whether the cooling rate is important to properties of the part; don't alter a heat treatment detail without engineering approval.
- Goleta, California
Finishing.com honored Ken for his countless carefully researched responses. He passed away May 14, 2015.Rest in peace, Ken. Thank you for your hard work which the finishing world, and we at finishing.com, continue to benefit from.
2007
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