CRYOGENIC TEMPERING

In present day machining abrasion caused metals is a huge problem, due to which a lot of money is wasted. Heat treatment is an intermittent process to solve this problem but it does not work all the time. We have suggested cryogenics as one effective solution to this problem.

The limitations in heat treatment process lead to cryogenic tempering of materials. This is a dry process carried in a perfectly insulated environment maintained at a temperature of –325 0F using liquid nitrogen.

            The recent developments in computers added to this process resulting in a highly controlled soaking of material which is key in this process. Various materials like steels, copper etc., which are widely applied in the industry, are processed using this technique. This process results in refined grain and it completely converts austenite (a softer grain structure always present after heat treatment) is transformed into a harder, more durable grain structure called martensite. Increased durability, ductility and relived internal stresses are the results of this process. This is a gentle process and it is not a surface phenomenon it effects  the whole component. This needs better control over the process.

            Cryogenic cutting tools are the most advantageous over normal tools. This reduces the problem of frequent resharpening  of the tool, tool life in some cases increased drastically unto 25 times, increasing the production time, quality of production and the production rates. Other industries, which are utilizing the advantages of cryogenic tempering, includes paper, plastic and rubber, electrical, wood, music, sports and automobiles. In music, the processed brass instruments resulted in best music quality, high pitch of sound. The processed rotors life is increased by 10 times.

             The quality of processed component depends on the quality of component used for treatment. The cost and time consumed are the factors, which is limiting the use of the process.