Would you know of a technical publication that would list the benefits and explain the science behind the cryogenic treatment of aluminum, specifically a 356-T6 aluminum cylinder head casting?
Eddie Phillips
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Would you know of a technical publication that would list the benefits and explain the science behind the cryogenic treatment of aluminum, specifically a 356-T6 aluminum cylinder head casting?
Eddie Phillips
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Laurie Huget
January 6, 2010From Dr. Randall Barron, here is a response to a previous similar inquiry:
Most 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).