Institute of Materials Science
Bremen Institute for Materials Testing (MPA)
Head of Department: Dr.rer.nat. Jan Küver
MPA Bremen
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Influence of microorganisms on polymer quenchants (EMPAM)
Funded by German Federation of Industrial Research Association (AiF) 2008-2010
Water soluble polymer liquids which are used as quenchants can be de affected by thermal decomposition or microorganisms. Due to their chemical characteristics (highly water soluble), quenchants are rapidly colonized by bacteria and fungi. As a consequence, the microorganisms degrade or alter (chemical transformation) certain components of the polymer liquid which will have an impact on the quality of quenching itself. Growth of microorganisms results into increased acid formation, extensive release of unpleasant odor, and clogging of nozzles. The modified chemical composition of the quenchant can result in a lost of corrosion protection for the work piece.
From the economical point of view, microbial contamination generates a considerable reduction of service life for the quenchant media and therefore an increase of production costs. For sanitation purposes it is reasonable to know what kind of microorganisms are found in quenchant media. So far, investigations are lacking in this field.
Within this project the reason for microbial contamination of quenchant media and the microorganisms being responsible for will be identified. The achieved technical expertise can be used for a better understanding of incidents (development of prevention strategies) and for an improvement of quenchant media in general.
The here described research project (15572 N) is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economics and Technology (BMWi) through the German Federation of Industrial Research Association ”Otto von Guericke” e.V. (AiF) from March 1, 2008 to January 31, 2010. Their help is greatly acknowledged.
Contact person: Dr. Jan Küver
Research organization: Arbeitsgemeinschaft Wärmebehandlung und Werkstofftechnik e.V. - AWT
Reasons for microbiological contamination