Cryogenic Processing (also called cryogenic treatment, and cryogenic tempering) is a process that uses cryogenic temperatures to modify materials to enhance their performance. Cryogenic Processing involves the slow reduction in temperature of the material to deep cryogenic temperatures of at least -300°F (-185°C) and holding the material at that temperature for some period of hours followed by a slow increase of temperature back to room temperature. This has a significant effect on the entire structure of the part at the atomic level.

Treated metals exhibit increased abrasive wear resistance, increased dimensional stability, increased resistance to chipping, increased toughness, more even hardness, and reduced electrical resistance. Although not apparent to the naked eye, the improvements to the metal are significant. The increases in tensile strength, toughness and stability may couple with the release of internal residual stresses. The end results are longer engine life, higher horsepower and less breakage.

Cryogenic Processing advantages include:

• Increase resistance to abrasive wear
• Requires only one permanent treatment
• Changes the entire grain structure of the metal, not just the surfaces
• Refinishing or regrinds do not affect permanent improvements
• Eliminates thermal shock through a dry, computer controlled process
• Transforms most retained austenite to hard martensite (martensite is 4X harder than austenite)
• Forms micro-fine carbide fillers to enhance carbide structures
• Increases durability and wear life
• Decreases residual stresses in tool steels
• Decreases brittleness
• Increases tensile strength, toughness and stability
• Relaxes internal stresses
• Works on new or used tools
• Reduced down time, less maintenance and higher productivity
• Deep cryo processing is compatible with other treatments (TiN, Chrome, Teflon etc.)
• High alloy steel cutting tools stay sharper longer, fewer micro-cracks, less chipping
• Results in the orderly arrangement of crystals, increases internal bonding energy, and achieves a structural balance throughout the mass of the material.

Virtually all engine parts respond to cryogenic treatment. Treated piston rings seal better against treated cylinder walls reducing blow-by and increasing horsepower. Cylinder blocks do not distort when subjected to the heat and vibration of racing so cylinder bores stay straight and smooth. Aluminum pistons and cylinder heads resist detonation longer. Crankshafts and connecting rods have longer service life without breaking. Camshafts, bearings, timing gears, valves and valve springs, timing chains and tappets all last significantly longer under severe conditions. Cryogenically-treated racing engines last three to five times longer.

Quoted from diversifiedcryogenics.com:

“We tested two stock 440 snowmobile engines. We left one alone; the other we treated with our Deep Cryogenic Processing. Next, using a dynamometer, we performed detonation tests on both engines by “leaning” the fuel-to-air ratio until they stopped running. The non-treated engine detonated pretty easily (the pistons grew too hot, causing them to grow and distort, then to seize up).”

“The cryo-treated engine was another story.
We tried to detonate the cryo-treated engine three times, Each time, the engine resisted. Sure, it stalled due to lack of fuel, but there was absolutely no damage to the engine. Cryo-treating enabled the piston to stay round, instead of expanding and distorting.
The story doesn’t end on the dyno. Following that grueling test, that particular engine completed a full season of ice racing. The team that used the cryo treated engine reported the fewest problems, and the best performance of any engine on the team. Plus, their piston consumption was cut in half.”

Cryo-treating lets you take your engine to higher RPMs and hotter temperatures. The result: decreased blow-by, increased compression, torque and horsepower.

“Astounding results! Prior to treatment, our cutting tools lasted 3 days. Now they last 3 weeks. Through put is up while maintenance is down – for less than 10% of tooling replacement cost.”

— Matt, Engineer, CPI

Cryogenic Processing Field Test
The table below shows the increased useful life (in percentages) of different types of materials and their respective applications. Not all materials respond the same to cryogenic tempering. A table like this is helpful to show patterns of improvement.

Tool Type—— Company—— Tool Material– Results

Broach——— Auto Mfg.———- Hi Nickel—— 250%
Broach——— Metal Milling Co.- Carbide——– 300%
Chipper——– Box Mfg.———- Carbide——– 500%
Deburring—– University Study– Inconol———- 400%
Dentistry—— Dentist———– 400 Stainless—- 500%
Die———— Casting Company— Hi Ni Alloy— 300%
Drills———– Aircraft Mfg—— M42,M7,C2—— 300%
Electrode—— 7 Studies——— Welding——– 600%
End Mill——- Aerospace Mfg—– M42———— 450%
Face Mill—— Aerospace——– C2 Carbide—- 400%
Gear Cutter—- Major Mfg.——– Ti-N Coated— 350%
Hob———— Turbine Mfg.—– M2, M7———- 300%
Key Cutter—– Aircraft Mfg.—– M2, M7——— 250%
Milling———- Aircraft Mfg.—– M7————— 250%
Punching——- Major Mfg.——– M7————- 600%
Shredder——- Paper Mfg.——– M7————- 400%
Slicer———- Plastics Mfg.—— M7————- 600%
Stamping Die— Steel Furniture— D2———– 1000%
Tap———– Tool Maker——- C2 Carbide—— 600%
Wood cutting– Pro Woodworker— HSS——— 500%

And the best part of this story and the reason why cryogenic tempering is our 5th favorite technology of 2007. Cryogenic facilities can treat a complete Spooky Tooth 2-Cycle motorized bicycle engine (spark plug and all) for $50-$75 minus shipping.