The Cryogenic Society of America sent me a link to this forum. CSA is a non-profit technical society serving all those interested in any phase of cryogenics, the art and science of achieving extremely low temperatures — almost absolute zero. Their web site is www.cryogenicsociety.org/. I am the co-chairman of the ASM Cryogenic Processing Sub-Committee of ASM International. ASM International is the professional society of metallurgists and materials scientists. Their web site is at www.asminternational.org. Both of these organizations are extremely well known and respected in their fields. Both recognize cryogenic processing of materials as a legitimate, useful and valuable method of altering the characteristics of materials.
Cryogenic processing, (also called cryogenic treatment or sometimes incorrectly cryogenic tempering) is a thoroughly tested and effective process with many uses. Tests have been run by major universities, national laboratories, and by individual companies. NASA, the US Army, Illinois Institute of Technology, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Purdue University, University College, Dublin Ireland, and many others have tested the process and found it works.
One of the biggest uses is for treating of brakes used on cars and trucks. Independent laboratory tests prove that cryogenic processing increases the life of automotive brakes up to four times. The US Postal Service uses cryogenically treated brakes as do many police and fire departments. As brakes are a major repair cost, there are considerable savings involved. Porsche uses this process on cars used in endurance racing and has been able to complete hour races without changing the brake rotors, which saves considerable time in the pits.
Speaking of racing, valve spring manufacturers are using cryogenic processing to increase the life of their products. A six-time increase in valve spring life is not unusual. I personally know of racers who use treated springs for the full season of racing where their competition puts in a new $400 set every race. This effect is so profound that my company is assisting a doctoral student in her research to find out why. Jerico Performance Products (maker of the transmission that has won more NASCAR races than any other) uses cryogenic processing to increase the life of their products. My company alone has treated parts on over half the starting field in any NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series, or Craftsman Truck series race.
Other uses abound. For instance, GKN company is a major OEM supplier of automotive components. They did research in conjunction with University of Trento in Trento Italy and found that cryogenic processing cut their tooling costs in half. Sunbeam Corporation uses cryogenic processing to increase the life of hair clipper blades. Manufacturers of plastics pellitizing knives have found tremendous life increases. Mining companies have found tremendous increases in the life of bits used to cut rock. Companies that machine metals save considerable money by having cutting bits, drills, taps, hobs, etc. treated. Newspaper printers save tremendous money by buying paper cutting blades that are treated.
In the musical field, many manufacturers of high-end audio components use cryogenics to increase the sound quality of their products. Do a web search for “cryogenically treated audio” to see for yourself. Treatment of vacuum tubes has been shown by research and by practical use to increase sound acuity and tube life. CD’s sound better when treated. I know, because I’ve heard the difference in a blind test. Treated guitar strings are available in most music shops. My colleagues and I have processed musical instruments for professional musicians who absolutely love the process. There is a piccolo company that not only uses the process to make their production process easier, but has found better sound as an addition.
Speaking for CSA and ASM, there is no doubt that this is a process that is valuable and worth pursuing.
F. J. Diekman
