Why cryogenics? – Cryogenics is truly a Space Age technology for treating materials. In the early 1960s, aerospace engineers applied the benefits of cryogenic treatment to stress relieve parts for use in space. Soon afterwards, the military used super cold treatment on aircraft. Many industrial uses have emerged from this technology.
Cryogenic processing brings the materials down to typical -120ºF (-84ºC). This process mimics the age old tradition of the Swiss watch makers of taking steel and other materials and leaving them in the Alps during the seasonal changes. Our process of deep cryogenic tempering uses an advanced computer-controlled thermal processing system to treat materials at an extremely low temperature.
The process of deep cryogenic tempering involves ramping the temperature down to -300ºF (-184ºC) at a rate of 1 degree per minute, then holding for 24 hours, afterwards returning to ambient temperature at the same rate. This allows the realignment of the molecular structure, enhancing wear characteristics in the structure
of steel.
Deep cryogenics treatments boosts the performance and service life of critical components. Observed changes include increased resistance to abrasion, resistance to fatigue, increased electrical conductivity, and stabilization of metals to reduce warping under heat, stress and vibration.
Some of the beneficial results on cryogenic treatment:
• Increases abrasive wear resistance
• Requires only one permanent treatment
• Creates a denser molecular structure, reducing friction, heat, and wear
• Changes the material’s entire structure, not just the surface
• Subsequent refinishing operations or re-grinds do not affect permanent cryo tempering
• Transforms almost all soft retained austenite to hard martensite in steel
• Forms microfine carbide fillers to enhance large carbide structures
• Increases durability or wear life
• Decreases residual stresses in tool steels
• Decreases brittleness
• Increases tensile strength, toughness and stability coupled with the release of internal stresses
• Does not change hardness
There is a wide range of applications for
cryogenic treatment.
Automotive
Cryogenic processing is currently in use in every form of racing imaginable. It is used in
virtually every class of NASCAR racing, IRL, CART, NHRA, IHRA, SCCA, IMSA, and ARCA.
Among the automotive parts that can be
cryogenically treated are:
Brakes, clutches, springs, chassis, gears, shafts and assemblies, connecting rods, cylinder heads, camshafts and lifters, bearings, cylinders, pistons and rings, crankshafts
Oil field
Cryogenics is used in the treatment of any tool or part that is subjected to high wear shock loads or tortional stress.
Other applications
Stereo sound reproduction, industrial tools, sporting goods, firearms, and musical instruments
For information on how cryogenic treating could benefit your business, extend the service life of your equipment, and help maximize your return on investment, contact Taylor Cryogenics, LP.
