What is Cryogenic Technology?

"Cryogenic Processing Technology" or "Super Cryogenic Processing Technology" ("Cryogenic Technology" for short) is a relatively recent technology to improve the strength and wear resistance of middle to high-end metal parts. Cryogenic technology uses liquid gases, such as liquid nitrogen, as the cooling medium to further treat quenched metal parts to deep low or near absolute zero temperature, in order to improve their wear resistance and to increase usage life. The technology is primarily used for metal parts but can also be applied to plastics, ceramics and other materials and to change their micro-structures and properties.

Quenching of metal parts causes a structural transformaton from unstable austenite into more stable martensite. However, many alloys require temperatures Mf) as low as -200oC to complete the transformation, a condition that routine hardening techniques can not achieve. So, a complete transformation of residual austenite to martensite can only be achieved with cryogenic process, where the metal parts were cooled to -200oC or below. Under such deep cooling conditions, the semi-stable martensite will also reduce its saturation of carbons, causing precipitation and dispersion of ultra-fine carbides measured only 20 ~ 60 Å. The small dispersion of carbides can block inner dislocation movements, therefore greatly enhance the wear resistance of metal parts. Such micro-structural change can also reduce inner stress and strengthen the entire structure. The hardness, toughness and wear resistance of the metal parts can hence be significantly improved.

Cryogenic treatment, unlike any other traditional surface treatments, is a “whole body” treatment that penetrates into the very core of the metal part and causes the same structural changes “inside-out” the metal parts. Therefore, the treated parts can be repeated sharpened and re-used without changing its properties. This feature further extends the usage of parts by several times.

The cryogenic process will not change the size and shape of the metal part. On the contrary, the process will reduce the stress caused by quenching and enhance dimensional stability.

Cryogenic technology is by far the most effective and economic high-tech for improving the properties of metals. Due to its low consumption of reagents and electric power, as well as causing no any type of pollution, cryogenic process is generally regarded as an environment friendly technology. Now, the technology has been widely used in the aerospace, maritime, military, machinery, car, hardware tools, sports equipment, and metal processing industries.

Our Company joined hands with the leading cryogenic company in US to introduce the world most advanced modern cryogenic technology and equipment to China. Our latest equipment, Cryotherm 4000, can perform both “deep cooling” (~ -200oC) and“super deep cooling” (~ - 260oC) treatment, depending on the needs and the type of cryogenic medium used. Different from any other equipment on the market, we can conduct “temperature impact” by treating the parts in thermo-cycles between -200 ℃ to +200 ℃ inside the same equipment in a continues process. Metal parts treated with “temperature impact” will perform much better under different temperature conditions and hence maximize the benefit of cryogenic treatment.

Cryo equipment