Many industrial processes involve the heat treatment of materials, such as metals, plastics, and composites. Commonly used heat transfer fluids such as water, ethylene glycol, and oils exhibit relatively low thermal conductivity compared to solids.
By using nanofluids, which are colloidal suspensions of solid nanoparticles in a base fluid, researchers and engineers can increase the thermal conductivity of the heat transfer fluid, thus saving energy and reducing the required processing time.
Heat treatment is a process where materials are heated or cooled in a specific sequence to facilitate material processing, prevent materials from irreversible thermal damage, or improve their mechanical properties.
Benefits of Materials Heat Treatment
Heat treatment of metals and metal alloys is a particularly important process used in steel manufacturing. By choosing the appropriate heat treatment method, the manufacturers can enhance the hardness, strength, and wear resistance of the metal or improve its ductility. However, not all of the metal properties can be modified in one operation. For example, the quench hardening of a metal, a process commonly used in the steel industry to increase the reliability of the final product, may cause brittleness.
Pour en savoir plus : Nanofluids and Materials Heat Treatment