Slang for washers, discs, saw blades, clutch plates and other thin parts that come out of the quench curled or wavy. Uneven cooling between the two faces and residual stress from blanking or grinding are the usual causes. Cures include die quenching in a press, stacking on fixtures under weight, tempering clamped flat, or switching to an air-hardening grade.
Clutch plates came out potato chips in the open quench, stack them on the arbor and temper them flat under weight.
Also heard as
- potato-chipped
Related terms
Distortion
Unwanted change in shape or size of a part during heat treatment, such as bowing, warping or ovality.
Agitation
Forced movement of quenchant around parts by pumps, propellers or nozzles to speed up and even out cooling.
Stress relieving
Heating a part below its transformation range to relax residual stress from welding, machining or forming.