Deep Freezing / Cryogenic Treatment
Cryogenic Treatment is primarily used to transform retained austenite from a hardening process into martensite. The treatment is sometimes used in shrink-fit operations for mating components with high interference and may also be used for stress-relief as well as to promote dimensional stability before sensitive grinding operations.
Capability
The majority of our Cryogenic treatment cycles are ran in one of our liquid nitrogen cryo-boxes for optimum process and lot control. Our largest cryo-box has a working dimension of 33” x 47” x 47”. We have the capability to cryogenically treat larger parts too.
Process
The high alloy content of several steels can result in retained austenite. Retained austenite can transform to untempered martensite during service. To transform the retained austenite found in these materials after hardening it is typically necessary to deep freeze or cryo-treat them to -120F or -300F below zero. This process is usually integrated within the hardening process by typically inserting this step between the first and second tempers of high speed and other tool steels.
Recommendations
ThermTech offers cryogenic or deep freeze treatment for parts made from high alloy steels. Some of the cryogenic treatments we perform on a regular basis are as follows:
We often recommend cryogenic treatment process for parts when retained austenite is an existent or potential issue. We are capable of cryogenic treatment at temperatures down to -120F or even -320F. Lead-times for these treatments are typically 1-2 days, but can be run overnight in cases of emergency.
Depending on individual product needs, we also offer Thermal-Cycling along with processes including but not limited to Vacuum Quench and Temper and Oil Quench and Temper in order to meet any hardness or additional property requirements.
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