Cryo-tempering System
Expert solutions to help you succeed
Cryogenic treatments of alloy steels have been claimed to significantly increase wear resistance and toughness through the interplay of three effects: completing martensitic transformation of retained austenite, promoting uniform precipitation of fine carbides, and imparting residual stresses. These treatments require specialized equipment that can cool materials with cold nitrogen down to as low as -300°F (-184°C), and warm them to ambient temperature, or in some cases as high as 1200°F (650°C) for tempering. Air Products can provide liquid nitrogen and supply systems for the full range of cryo-tempering applications.
Air Products offers a variety of technical services for cryogenic nitrogen treatment processes. Our applications engineers can work with you to understand your cryo-treating and cryo-tempering needs and help you optimize gas use and meet your demanding product specifications.
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Ask the Expert
Liang He
Metals Processing R&D Engineer, North America
“Why would I want to cryogenically treat tool steels? Does it really affect the microstructure?”
After austenitizing and quenching, tool steels are sometimes subjected to cold treatment at approximately –80°C (-112°F), followed by tempering. Primarily, the cold treatment is done to increase strength, improve dimensional or microstructure stability, and improve wear resistance. These benefits are due to the transformation of retained austenite to martensite. Some studies show that lowering the cold treatment temperature below –100°C (–148°F) does not significantly increase the amount of retained austenite-to-martensite transformation—therefore it does not result in additional benefits. However, other studies show that compared to cold treatment (–80°C/-112°F), cryogenic treatment (–190°C/-310°F) further improves wear resistance.
Cryogenic Quenching of Steel Revisited
Cryogenic treatments of alloy steels have been claimed to significantly increase wear resistance and toughness through the interplay of three effects: completing martensitic transformation, promoting uniform precipitation of fine carbides and imparting residual stresses.