cryo treat your parts
03-05-2003, 01:22 PM
#11
1.5 BAR
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,495
Re:cryo treat your parts
I thought this was just for freezing dr. evil and austin powers?
But seriously... think about it, freezing the metal holds the molecules more closely and warming it up loosens them. I guess I don't see any logical explanation to how this could improve the strength of the piston, or anything for that matter... As once you get back to 'operating' temperatures any benefits of cold would be lost?
I understand a slow unthawing might help with something, but just doesnt seem plausible to me.
But seriously... think about it, freezing the metal holds the molecules more closely and warming it up loosens them. I guess I don't see any logical explanation to how this could improve the strength of the piston, or anything for that matter... As once you get back to 'operating' temperatures any benefits of cold would be lost?
I understand a slow unthawing might help with something, but just doesnt seem plausible to me.
03-05-2003, 03:23 PM
#12
1.0 BAR
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 202
Re:cryo treat your parts
I understand what you are saying, but you need to think about cryo treatment as actually an extension of the heat treating process, not just a change of size in things in relation to temperature.
In the heat treatment process, the material is heated up to a range where the molecular structure changes, and the method used to cool the parts is what determines the final molecular structure. In steels, martensite is the preferred structure, and is very strong, and austenite is unwanted material between the martensite. It is called the aging process, and the austenite "precipitates" out of the structure. There is a small amount retained though when the structure reaches room temp. The cryo process continues this precipitation if it is done, and even more has been proven to be removed by going "deep", which is how they refer to a liquid soak at -320. Most only go to -300.
The biggest uses for cryo treatment are in industry, not really motorsports. They treat things like drill bits, and cutting tools, and have proven that they can last about 300% longer before replacement/resharpening.
In the heat treatment process, the material is heated up to a range where the molecular structure changes, and the method used to cool the parts is what determines the final molecular structure. In steels, martensite is the preferred structure, and is very strong, and austenite is unwanted material between the martensite. It is called the aging process, and the austenite "precipitates" out of the structure. There is a small amount retained though when the structure reaches room temp. The cryo process continues this precipitation if it is done, and even more has been proven to be removed by going "deep", which is how they refer to a liquid soak at -320. Most only go to -300.
The biggest uses for cryo treatment are in industry, not really motorsports. They treat things like drill bits, and cutting tools, and have proven that they can last about 300% longer before replacement/resharpening.
03-06-2003, 12:11 AM
#14
1.5 BAR
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,495
Re:cryo treat your parts
hmmm... would this be kind of like the way that the japanese used to fold their katanas over and over and let it cool outside instead of in water? (to work out the impurities I know)? Except more hi-tech...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
