Cryogenic Treatment Enhances the Performance of Metals
Cryogenic treatment, which is sometimes called cryogenic tempering, utilizes ultra-cold temperatures to modify the micro-structure of metals and other materials. It has been widely adopted as a cost reduction and performance enhancing technology. It is also used as an enabling technology, when its stress relieving benefits are utilized to permit the fabrication (or machining) of critical tolerance parts.

The cryogenic treatment process uses sub-zero temperatures down to –300ºF to modify the micro-structure of the material. Cryogenic treatment promotes additional transformations in metals. It ultimately improves the performance of the metal.

Cryogenic treatment is an extension of the heat-treating process that further enhances metals in the following ways:

1. Relieves residual stresses
2. Promotes a more uniform grain structure
3. Precipitates eta-carbides in steels for increased resistance to wear
4. Results in a more uniform micro-structure for improved performance

Treated metals enjoy the following benefits:

1. Longer life due to reduced wear
2. Less failures due to cracking that result from the propagation of stress lines
3. Improved thermal properties
4. Better electrical properties with reduced electrical resistance
5. Reduced coefficient of friction on polished metals
6. Less creep & walk, and improved flatness for critical tolerance parts
7. Easier machining, polishing and grinding for better edges and finishes

Cryogenic treatment can make a major contribution to solving these problems:

1. High abrasive wear in cutting tools, molds, dies, brake rotors, gears, engine components, etc.
2. High corrosive wear in chemical, food, and oil equipment applications.
3. High erosive wear from, water, slurries and other abrasive grit carriers.
4. Distortions induced by design, forming, machining or environment.
5. Stress relief in complex tools, components, and welds.
6. Stress relief cracking of weld zones.
7. Surface finishing in any application where long life is needed.
8. Stabilization in parts and components as a result of stresses.
9. Machinability in aluminum and copper parts.
10. Electrode life in copper resistance welding electrodes (Type 1, 2, 3, 4, 11 & 13).

Monolith Int'l Trading's affiliated & local Cryogenic Institute cryogenically treats and processes many industrial and recreational applications including:

1. Motor Sports Engines & Transmissions
2. Brake Rotors for racing and fleet vehicles
3. Cutting Tools & Knives Machine Tools
4. Copper Wire & Electrical Components
5. Stamping Tools
6. Punch & Die Sets
7. Carbide Tools
8. Slitter Knives
9. Machine Tools
10. Precision Machined Components
11. Broaches
12. Electrodes
13. Audio Tubes, Power Supplies, Conditioners, Cables, Amplifiers, CDs, DVDs, LPs, Receivers, Pre-amps, Tuners, Crossovers, etc.
14. Wood Cutting and Shaping Tools, Knives & Blades
15. Saw Blades
16. Drilling
17. Firearms, Bullets, Dies, Actions and Gun Barrels
18. Softball Bats
19. Golf Clubs
20. Heat Sinks
21. Molds
22. Nylon Materials
23. Musical Instruments - Brass Horns, Cymbals, Strings, etc.
24. Electrical Components - Copper Wire, Power Strips, Conductor, etc.
25. Aerospace, Aircraft - Castings & Components, Engines, Landing Gear, Support, etc.
26. Medical / Dental - Stainless Steel Hygienist Tools, Scissors, Knives, Saws, UHMW Polyethylene for Implants, etc.
27. Recycling - Shredding Screens, Blow Bars, Knives, Shredders, Grinders, Pulverizers, etc.

Materials: Some examples of materials that are routinely cryogenically treated include:

• All types of Steel
• Titanium
• Plastics
• Copper
• Nylon
• Aluminum
• Brass
• Various Alloys
• Glass
• Complete assemblies i.e. whole chain saws, engines, motors, electronics, vacuum tubes, etc.
• Ferrous & Non-ferrous Metals
• Carbide
• Carbon Fibre
• Ceramics
• And many others.

Cryogenics & the Environment
If our refrigerator is the top energy-consuming appliance in our house, it's only natural to assume that a lot of energy is needed to deep cryo-treat something but it's still justifiable as a lot of items can be treated at the same time. Imagine the extended lifespan that you're giving to these items. Moving parts will wear out much less. Metallic parts will last 3-5x as long. The positive impact of cryogenic treatment is real, practical, environmental & economical. Mind you though, you'll encounter a lot of resistance regarding this approach as any company's most profitable & loyal sale comes from selling refills. Now imagine if their refills last the end-user 3-5 times as long! If this is not their worst nightmare, we don't know what is.

One main reason why car makers killed their electric vehicles was that they lasted much longer than petroleum counterparts. And ask any dealership which departments are their most lucrative ones: the answer is always the service & parts departments, not the sales. So dealerships will do & say anything to discourage you from cryo-treating auto parts. Cryo-treating automotve components will give your car much higher mileage too, as you will soon learn from clicking on the following "Automotive" link.

Deep cryogenic treatment is not peudo-science, it's legitimate science. NASCAR knows about & uses it. Professional ice skaters know about & use it. Machinery operators know about & use it. And you should, too.

Applications:

Automotive

Sporting Goods

Razor Blades

R/C Toys