Method and device for quenching steel in pressurized air

摘要

The method for quenching a steel charge after carburizing or carbonitriding is carried out at atmospheric pressure and comprises the following steps: the charge is extracted from a treatment furnace (1) at a temperature ranging from 750 ° C. to 1100 ° C.; b) the charge is transferred to a quenching cell (3); c) a quenching fluid is introduced at a pressure which is higher than atmospheric pressure; d) the charge is cooled to a temperature of less than 400 ° C. According to the invention, the fluid is primarily composed of air, and the part is brought to a temperature of at least 400 ° C., whereby an oxide layer preventing decarburization is formed in the time period starting from the moment when the charge exits (1) from the furnace.