What is cryo treatment?
Simply put, it is a process of freezing parts to -300F to improve their properties. It is a “dry” process, during which the parts are never put in contact with the liquid nitrogen. The parts are cooled very slowly and then held at a temperature of about -300 F for anywhere from 24 to 36 hours, and then brought very slowly back to room temperature. Deep cryogenic tempering creates significant increases in abrasive wear resistance and durability. These improvements may be accompanied by increases in tensile strength, toughness, and stability coupled with the release of internal residual stresses. While cryogenic treatment is primarily used to improve the properties of the material, it can also provide stress relief, reductions in stress-relief cracking, improved surface finish, and improved machinability.
