Cryogenic Stress Relieving

The cryogenic process cools materials, typically metals, to extremely low temperatures to relieve residual stresses. Our Cryogenic Stress Relieving uses nitrogen to hold products at temperatures below the material’s ductile-to-brittle transition point.

Advantages

Strength and Toughness From the Cold

Through controlled cooling, we subject metals to temperatures reaching nearly -300°F (-184°C) to reduce the thermal expansion coefficient of the microstructure. This lowers distortion, increases strength, and improves wear and corrosion resistance for parts often used in aerospace, automotive, and semiconductor industries.

Advantages of Cryogenic Treatment of Aluminum

Reduced residual stresses: The material’s dimensional stability is improved, and the risk of distortion or cracking is reduced.
Improved machinability: By reducing internal stresses, cryogenic treatment makes the material easier to machine with CNC equipment.
Increased fatigue life: Reducing residual stresses makes aluminum components more durable and resistant to failure over time.
Improved thermal stability: Cryogenic stress relief makes aluminum parts more resistant to changes in temperature and thermal cycling.

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FAQs

Liquid nitrogen lowers the temperature inside the tank to -300 °F (-184°C) and slowly returns to room temp. The target temperature for parts inside the take depends on the material used.

Advantages of cryogenic stress relief include:

Alters the molecular grain microstructure of the entire metal part, not just the surface layer
Reduces residual stresses and stress cracking
Improves toughness, dimensional stability, and wear properties of metal parts
Gives parts greater stability at room temperature
Reduces coefficient of friction and surface roughness
Enables the machining of parts to tighter tolerances
Increases dimensional stability on critical components
Reduces stress fracturing
Increases abrasion and impact resistance
Improves metal materials’ dielectric properties
Provides for easier machining and redressing
Increases component durability and lifespan
Extended part life for lower replacement costs and reduced downtime

Cryogenic stress relief increases the density of metal materials, making them stronger and more solid. This can yield dramatic improvements in the performance, durability, and wear resistance of metal parts and components.

Parts treated via cryogenic metal stress relieving may be re-machined or re-ground indefinitely without altering the effects of the cryogenic stress relief process.