Cooling Time Calculator
Prevent coating defects with optimal cooling profiles
Understanding Cooling Dynamics
🌡️ Thermal Shock
Rapid cooling can cause internal stresses leading to cracking, especially in thick sections or temperature-sensitive coatings.
⚗️ Film Formation
Powder coatings continue crosslinking during cooldown. Proper cooling ensures complete cure and optimal properties.
📐 Dimensional Changes
Different materials have different thermal expansion rates. Controlled cooling prevents warping and dimensional issues.
Cooling Method Comparison
Material Thermal Properties
Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K)
- Aluminum: 237 (cools quickly)
- Carbon Steel: 50 (moderate cooling)
- Stainless Steel: 16 (slow cooling)
- Cast Iron: 55 (moderate cooling)
- Zinc: 116 (fast cooling)
Thermal Expansion (µm/m·K)
- Aluminum: 23 (high expansion)
- Carbon Steel: 12 (moderate)
- Stainless Steel: 17 (high expansion)
- Cast Iron: 10 (low expansion)
- Zinc: 30 (very high expansion)
Cooling Best Practices
✅ Do This
- Cool gradually to prevent thermal shock
- Monitor part temperature, not air temperature
- Use uniform cooling for consistent results
- Allow complete cooldown before handling
- Consider part geometry and mass
- Document cooling profiles for repeatability
❌ Avoid This
- Rapid quenching of thick sections
- Uneven cooling causing warpage
- Handling parts above 60°C
- Cooling sensitive materials too quickly
- Ignoring part geometry effects
- Inconsistent cooling between batches