What is Cryogenics
Cryogenics originates from the Greek words ‘ KRUOS ‘ meaning “frost” and ‘GENICS ‘meaning “to produce”. Overall cryogenics is the study of materials in extremely cold temperatures. Cryogenics is an evolving field, since the 1930’s. Has been used and verified through research conducted by the US army Illinois Institute of technology and extensively used to enhance their weaponry durability. It was heavily implemented in NASA space program since the 1960’s, hence referred to as cutting edge technology. Relatively new in the field of engineering it has a vast range of potential and actual applications, from tempering metals, to increasing wear resistance, ductile and tensile strength in general making all ferrous and non-ferrous metals more durable, improving performance giving more cost effective operations.
What is the Cryogenic Process Treatment?
- Cryogenic treatment – sometimes called cryogenic processing (or Cryogenic tempering as it is sometimes incorrectly called).
- Components are placed into one of our three cryo-processing chambers, which are specially designed to withstand sub-zero temperatures. Liquid nitrogen is slowly injected into the chamber by a computer controlled process, preventing thermal shock. On completion of the treatment, the materials are returned to ambient temperature at a controlled rate and ferrous metals post tempered to stabilize the newly formed martensite structure.
- It is a process that uses ultra-cold temperatures to modify the microstructure of all metals to enhance their performance.
- This process modifies the molecular structure of the material that has been treated and converts austenite to martensite.
- Provides 100% stress relieving from surface to core of the material.
- This process cycle can take between 36 to 48 hours depending on the component.