Mr Volcano Parks 50 Quench Oil for Heat Treating Steel and Knife Steel - 1 Gallon

Mr Volcano Parks 50 Quench Oil for Heat Treating Steel and Knife Steel - 1 Gallon

Fast, controlled quench for shallow‑hardening steels – Delivers water‑like cooling at the start of the quench, then slows in the martensite range to reduce cracking and distortion—ideal for simple high‑carbon steels. Rated 7–9 seconds on the Nickel Ball test (at ~100°F), placing it firmly in the “fast oil” category used by knife makers seeking high hardness in 1095/1084/1080 and similar steels. Ready to use at shop temps – Works in a 50–120°F bath range; many makers run Parks 50 at room temperature to hit spec without preheating (agitate your bath and avoid exceeding 120°F) Consistent, repeatable results – Formulated for fast initial cooling with reduced vapor blanket and low drag‑out for cleaner parts and predictable hardening cycle 1 Gallon jug - Made in USA

Get fast, reliable hardness without water-quench risks. Parks 50 is a professional fast quench oil engineered for shallow-hardening, high-carbon steels (e.g., 1095/1084/1080, W1/W2). It cools like water early in the quench, then slows through the martensite phase to minimize cracking and warping—exactly what small shops and knifemakers need for repeatable heat-treat results.

Why makers upgrade to Parks 50 (Common workarounds vs. the fix):

• Water/Brine – Very fast but harsh; promotes cracking/warp from thermal shock and vapor-jacket issues. Parks 50 provides comparable early-stage speed with a controlled cooling curve that reduces stress and distortion.
• Vegetable oils (e.g., canola/peanut) – Medium/slower oils with variable performance by brand, age, and temperature; can miss peak hardness in shallow-hardening steels. Parks 50 is a true fast oil (Nickel Ball ~7–9 s) designed to hit the nose quickly for steels like 1095/1084.
• Used motor/ATF/hydraulic "mystery" oils – Unpredictable cooling curves; smoky and inconsistent from batch to batch. Parks 50 is purpose-formulated for heat treating so you get consistent quench speed and cleaner results.
• Generic medium-speed quench oils – Fine for deeper-hardening alloys, but often too slow for 10xx/W-series. Parks 50 sits in the fast-oil class specifically used to maximize hardness in these steels.
• Polymer quenchants – Effective in controlled industrial setups but require precise mixing and bath management. Parks 50 is simple, ready to use in the recommended 50–120°F range.

Technical specifics makers care about

• Nickel Ball time: 7–9 seconds @ ~100°F (fast oil class)
• Recommended bath range: 50–120°F
• Flash point: >275°F
• Viscosity @ 100°F: >5.8 cSt
• Designed to reduce vapor blanket; noted for low drag-out

Compatibility: Optimized for simple high-carbon steels (10xx family, especially 1095/1084/1080) and W-series (W1/W2). For air-hardening stainless and high-alloy tool steels, follow the steel maker’s recommended quench (often plate or air).

Use & Care: Use a properly sized quench tank and agitate the oil. Keep parts fully submerged until below flaming temperature. Do not overheat the bath; keep ≤120°F for spec speed and safety.

Safety: Handle like any industrial quench oil. Review the Safety Data Sheet and use PPE and ventilation. Hazards include aspiration if swallowed and eye/respiratory irritation—store away from ignition sources.