Heat treatments quenching head

Quenching head with descaler

Quenching heads with descaler are used in in-line seamless tube production processes to achieve controlled surface quenching immediately after rolling or heating of the tube. They are particularly suitable for small and medium diameter tubes, where tight dimensional tolerances have to be maintained. The quenching heads produced by Barni guarantee uniform, controlled surface cooling, precise adjustment of the thermal gradient, adaptability to variable tube diameters and perfect angular rotation of the nozzles.

This application is recommended for tube wall thicknesses up to 16 mm (subject to the customer’s specific requirement).

Main components

• Quenching head: metal structure surrounding the tube in transit, with an opening adjustable to the tube diameter.
• Descaler: key element that distributes the coolant in multiple, uniform jets, avoiding localised cooling concentrations.
• Spray nozzles: direct the fluid onto the tube at calibrated angles.
• Collection and recirculation system: filters the fluid and returns it to the quenching head to reduce consumption and keep the temperature constant.
• Flow and pressure control: allows cooling to be modulated according to the rolling speed and the steel grade.

Quenching tank

The quenching tank is used when seamless tubes have to undergo full quenching, that is, uniform cooling of both the outer and the inner surface. This is essential for tubes with a heavy wall thickness or a large diameter, where the spray head cannot guarantee sufficient cooling penetration. This application is recommended for wall thicknesses above 16 mm (subject to the customer’s specific requirement).

Main components

• Quenching tank: long tank filled with coolant (water, oil or special emulsions).
• Rotating immersion structure: guides the tube through the fluid, keeping it centred to avoid deformation.
• Tube handling system: rollers, carriages or chains to move the tube into and out of the tank.
• Fluid agitation and recirculation: ensure uniform heat removal from the tube, preventing stagnant layers.
• Temperature and flow rate control: critical to avoid thermal shock and surface cracking.

Examples of fields of application

Our quenching systems are mainly used for the following applications:

• Tubes for light industrial plants, such as pipelines for water, compressed air and non-corrosive gases.
• Automotive sector: tubes for exhaust systems, suspensions or internal structures.
• Oil and gas industry: seamless tubes for drilling, oil pipelines and gas pipelines.
• Energy sector: tubes for power plants, steam turbines or high-pressure pipelines.
• Chemical and petrochemical industry: piping exposed to aggressive substances and high pressures.
• High-strength tubes for automotive and aerospace: shafts, frame components or parts subject to cyclic loads.