College
College of Engineering and Polymer Science
Date of Last Revision
2026-04-30 09:18:29
Major
Aerospace Systems Engineering
Honors Course
AESE 497
Number of Credits
2
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2026
Abstract
The quenching process is a fundamental heat treatment used to enhance material properties by heating steel to its austenitizing temperature and rapidly cooling it to form high-strength martensite. However, this process is often hindered by two surface barriers: the Leidenfrost effect (vapor blanket) and oxide scale. These cooling limitations restrict the use of steel in high-performance aerospace applications due to inconsistent material properties and unpredictable engineering properties. This research investigates the use of fully submersible, 50-watt 40 kHz ultrasound technology to improve cooling rates in a Jominy test [4]. Through numerical simulations and experimental validation, the study demonstrates that acoustic streaming and cavitation induced by ultrasound significantly enhance convection. Experimental data of a Jominy sample confirm that ultrasound increases the cooling rate, decreasing the temperature by up to 12% in 1045 steel compared to quenching without ultrasound. The implications of this quenching method are not limited to aerospace but extend to industrial applications involving complex geometries where these thermal barriers are more persistent.
Research Sponsor
Dr. Hyeonu Heo
First Reader
Dr. Manigandan Kannan
Second Reader
Dr. Guo-Xiang Wang
Honors Faculty Advisor
Scott Sawyer
Proprietary and/or Confidential Information
No
Community Engaged Scholarship
No
Recommended Citation
Santos, Anthony O., "Breaking the Vapor Barrier and Scale: Revolutionizing Steel Quenching with Ultrasound Technology" (2026). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 2152.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/2152
Included in
Acoustics, Dynamics, and Controls Commons, Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics Commons, Heat Transfer, Combustion Commons, Metallurgy Commons, Space Habitation and Life Support Commons, Structures and Materials Commons