pms
09-07-2006, 07:59 AM
Is it worth it?
Here is what a local business says about the process:
Our proprietary deep cryogenic tempering process uses cryogenic temperatures (-300 degrees F) to transform the soft carbon (austenite) into a smaller and stronger carbon molecule (martensite). This makes the surface of the metal less porous, so there is more surface area to wear. When the process is complete, the metal is less brittle, stronger and much more durable than before. Tools can be Cryo'd when new or dull. Cryo'd tools are actually easier to resharpen because 50% less material is removed each time, so the tool can be resharpened twice as many times. If the tool is resharpened after being Cryo'd, it will cut much longer. Our process permanently alters the entire thickness of the metal, not just the surface. The entire process takes 3 to 7 days.
"We cryogenically treated a small block Chevrolet in 1994, which was run at 8000-8500 RPM for the entire season with no breakage. Normal cylinder wear would be expected to be at 2-3 thousandths. The motor showed less than 1/4 of one thousadth of wear. As amatter of course, we generally go through the motors after 1000-1200 laps. When we tore this engine down at that point, the bearings were perfect and the crank looked like the day I installed it new. At the end of the season, Hixso removed all the parts and measured everything. Most of the parts showed very little wear, much less than we would have expected." (Butch Hixon, a well known engine builder in IL.)
He also stated that he is doing a large amount of brake rotors.
Are there any users out there? If so, do you see a decrease in wear?
Here is what a local business says about the process:
Our proprietary deep cryogenic tempering process uses cryogenic temperatures (-300 degrees F) to transform the soft carbon (austenite) into a smaller and stronger carbon molecule (martensite). This makes the surface of the metal less porous, so there is more surface area to wear. When the process is complete, the metal is less brittle, stronger and much more durable than before. Tools can be Cryo'd when new or dull. Cryo'd tools are actually easier to resharpen because 50% less material is removed each time, so the tool can be resharpened twice as many times. If the tool is resharpened after being Cryo'd, it will cut much longer. Our process permanently alters the entire thickness of the metal, not just the surface. The entire process takes 3 to 7 days.
"We cryogenically treated a small block Chevrolet in 1994, which was run at 8000-8500 RPM for the entire season with no breakage. Normal cylinder wear would be expected to be at 2-3 thousandths. The motor showed less than 1/4 of one thousadth of wear. As amatter of course, we generally go through the motors after 1000-1200 laps. When we tore this engine down at that point, the bearings were perfect and the crank looked like the day I installed it new. At the end of the season, Hixso removed all the parts and measured everything. Most of the parts showed very little wear, much less than we would have expected." (Butch Hixon, a well known engine builder in IL.)
He also stated that he is doing a large amount of brake rotors.
Are there any users out there? If so, do you see a decrease in wear?