I don't know how many of you guys know about cryogenics, but I'm going to give it a try.It's a freezing process that makes just about any kind of metal stronger. Alot of Nascar teams are doing it for endurance. I'm going to cryo everything behind the trans. The driveshaft, differential assembly, halfshafts,spindles, and hubs. Forum member Jeb Burnett opened Deep Freeze Cryo, and has had stock IRS cryo treated C4 cars hold up to 9 second passes.The big plus is it's a lot less than billet spindles, and chrome moly half shafts. The bad thing is our track doesn't open until April.

 

I'm curious to know what parts NASCAR teams are cryo-treating, because I am working quite closely on their motors, and haven't seen anything along those lines. Of course, I have yet to venture over to the chassis side of the shops.

 

Ive heard drivetrain parts. Anyone that wants info can talk to Jeb toll free at 866-324-2796.www.deepfreezecryo.com


[Modified by tpi 421 vette, 6:08 AM 2/4/2003]

 

Trans parts and other higher carbon ferrous parts that are NOT exposed to high temps (~1100-1200* F) can and do benefit from cryogenic treatment. Rotors run with race pads on the track are a waste of money. If you can get a reasonable deal on a GOOD, legitimate cryo job, go for it.

 

We purchase Cryo treated machine tools/cutters for machining difficult tool steels & super alloys. I have designed & built long run progressive pierce dies using Cryo treated pierce punches made from D-2 and M-2 tool steels. The treatment imparts an extremely long wearing surface hardness.

Here is a link I had bookmarked to the Cryo process porter precision punches follows. http://www.porterpunch.com/nitro.html

 

I have not heard of aluminum parts being treated this way. Steel parts are the only ones I've seen this done to. So this would be a good process for the spindle and hubs. By the way, you have to temper the steel parts after the cryo part of the process so you don't get brittle parts. This usually is a bake out at approx. 300°F and cool to room temp with air.

 

Thanks everybody for chiming in. Cryogenics is new to me, so I'm still learning about it myself.I know Jeb can cryo aluminum.

 

Well...I guess since Jim started this I may as well chime in (I'm not plugging, though)... I actually became aware of the process back in the late 80's/early 90's when I did a lot of benchrest target shooting. A lot of my fellow competitors were having their barrels cryogenically processed. The reason: Several actually but the most specific not being increased wear resistance, but the fact that the process eliminates residual stresses which reduces unwanted harmonics. The process tightens group sizes on a rifle by generally 30% or better and the friction reducing properties increase velocity by usually 40-50 fps.

On vehicles as well as industrial/mfg tooling, cryo uses are really coming into their own. As someone above has already stated, D-2 punch dies that have been treated last a lot longer; documented gains of 817% have been reported. It also works very well on graphitic cast iron (what engine blocks and cast cranks are built of), chromoly, stainless, titanium, magnesium, aluminum, and some composites-most specifically nylon and delrin.
Many of the racing organizations use A LOT of cryo components including (like Jim stated) NASCAR. Many teams are indeed using cryo treated engine components, most notably bearings, cranks, valvesprings, cams and lifters, and piston rings. A lot of them run almost entirely cryo processed engine assemblies, trannys, and drivelines... NHRA Pro Stock is another heavy user of the treatment...Warren Johnson has been using it heavily for years.

The process provides many benefits and should be seen as a furthering of the tempering process... Almost all materials are tempered in one way or another, what varies is the temperature they are heated to in order to properly temper that particular material... The cryo process takes the tempering further without inducing in additional brittleness. The process reduces all affects of the four types of wear: rolling, abrasive, impact, and corrosive. In addition it increases the tensile strength, reduces surface friction, eliminates residual stresses, and dimensionally stabilizes the material. The stress reduction and stabilization are probably the two most significant benefits after the increase in wear resistance/durability; residual stresses are formed whenever a material is cast, forged, machined, welded, you name it. The stresses can cause stress risers which lead to fracturing and also to unwanted harmonics (translating into vibration). It's also a one time process and unlike nitriding or chroming which are surface coatings, the cryo treatment can never be worn off or machined away (unless you machine the entire piece away).

The process isn't new but it's relatively new to motorsports. It's one of those things that's almost too good to be true; and it would be if it weren't for the 30+ years of research and documentation in the metallurgical realm. I've found it can make shoddily tempered parts good, decently tempered parts great, and very high quality parts damn near indestructable.

 

I have heard of it before. Your description sounds almost too good to be true. That is NOT a slam. Can you give some examples of costs?

RACE ON!!!

 

I hear ya!! That's the problem with the process; in most circles it's relatively unknown and people are reserved when it comes to spending money on a process they either don't know anything about or know very little about... The only way I've gotten a lot of the business I have is by doing some "gimmies" and letting them find out for themselves. Most of the tool and die shops I do processing for started out that way. I've got some extrude dies right now that we processed and a control batch that weren't done in an aluminum extrusion mill (aluminum extrusions are highly abrasive in nature)... In the short 3 mos. they've been on there they've already documented some pretty substantial durability gains. I hold my breath every time I do a process (even though I KNOW what the results will be); I just know someone is going to come back and say: "This is a bullpoopie deal, it didn't help at all." But I haven't had one yet...In fact, I get more business from word of mouth from machine foremen and tool and die guys.

The best way to get my pricing (it would just take too long to type) would be to go to the website: http://www.deepfreezecryo.com. For motorsports stuff go to the Fleet/Motorsports section...The prices listed are racer net but I am certainly willing to give an additional 10% off to Forum members because...well...I'm a Forum member and Vettes are what I do...

Incidentally if any women read this or if your wives are having trouble with running their panty-hose send me a couple of pair and I'll cryo them for free...Believe it or not but nylon panty-hose are one of the best cryo applications there is. Even cheap Wal-Mart brands won't run unless you literally take a knife to them!!!
-Jeb Burnett