I’m interested in cryogenic cooling as a possible treatment of aluminum parts for the semiconductor industry. I’d like to talk to someone about how cryogenic cooling changes aluminum grain structure, and where I might be able to treat a small number of parts.
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Dr. Randall F. Barron
August 1, 2008Most of the research work that we conducted at Louisiana Tech University was done on tool steels. We did examine the effect of cryogenic treatment on the 2000 series of aluminum, and found that there was little improvement on the wear resistance for this aluminum series. We did not study the 3000 series or the 6000 series, however.
There are several people who have successfully used cryogenic treatment for motorcycle motors and race car motors. [see: John Garner, “Freezing Parts to Make More Power,” Roadracing World, vol.7, no.3, March 1997, pp.3-6] These people have found (for cast aluminum alloys used in engines) that the durability and engine longevity was improved, and the power output was increased somewhat (due to lower friction, it is claimed). They have also treated the valve springs and piston seals, which are made of spring steel, and found that wear lifetime for these parts was increased by cryogenic treatment.
One group that has been involved in cryogenic treatment of aluminum engines is Cryolab, located in Southern California (contact David Ward or Kyle Parsons).
Other people who are involved in cryogenic treatment of metals include:
[1] Cryogenic Tempering, Inc., Center and Market Street, P.O. Box 404, Seville, OH 44273. Contact: Marko Malen. Phone: (216) 769-1495
[2] Controlled Thermal Processing, Inc., 1521 Bourbon Parkway, Streamwood, IL 60107. Contact: Rick Diekman. Phone: (630) 540-1510 e-mail: info@metal-wear.com Web site: http://www.metal-wear.com
[3] Cryogenic Solutions, 20 Green Iris Court, Savannah, GA 31419. Contact M. Leleux. Phone 1-800-650-6560 e-mail: info@cryogenicsolutions.com Web site: http://www.cryogenicsolutions.com
[4] Fountainhead Cryogenic Processing, 1902 Woodland Road, York PA 17403. Contact: Bill DeFelice. Phone: (717) 880-5730 e-mail: billd@fountainheadcryo.com Web site: http://www.fountainheadcryo.com
There is also a Canadian company that has done a good bit of cryogenic treatment for various metals.
[5] Cryo-Tech (Canada), Inc., 1260 Terwillegar Ave., Unit 9, Oshawa, Ontario, L1J7A5. Contact: Norman Ritson. Phone: (905) 432-2585.