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Cryobest® Process

The CRYOBEST® multi-stage cryogenic process is an advanced method of treatment during which the materials are subjected to controlled temperature variations that can reach up to -180ºC, following a series of predefined process stages.

It can be considered as an evolution in conventional cryogenic treatments, which essentially consist of subjecting the materials to cryogenic temperatures of the same level for long periods of time. Various different variants exist, but the total length of a conventional cryogenic process generally exceeds two days.

The advantages provided by the multi-stage cryogenic process are essentially of two types:

  • The total time of the treatment is much shorter (normally around 15 hours).
  • The results are generally better.

The treatment does not alter the appearance or the dimensions of the components. It is performed in an inert atmosphere and there are no changes in colour or oxidation. In fact, one of the characteristics of the treatment is that it is undetectable in practice. The changes that are produced are very subtle and affect the material at microstructural level.

The CRYOBEST® process can be applied to a wide range of materials:

  • steel (alloyed, tool, HHS, stainless, etc.), both powder-metallurgy and cast
  • cast iron
  • cemented carbide
  • aluminium alloys
  • bronze, brass and other copper alloys
  • other metals and special alloys
  • ceramic materials, certain polymers, etc...

The effects or results provided by the CRYOBEST® treatment are linked to the material (and also to the application). We can highlight the following:

  1. Increase in wear resistance.
  2. Greater resistance to fatigue and creep
  3. Stress relief and greater dimensional stability
  4. Improved heat/electrical conductivity.

It is a thermal treatment and, therefore, it permanently affects the entire volume of the material treated. This means that a component or tool can be re-worked, sharpened, modified, etc. without losing its performance (as opposed to the case of a surface treatment or a coating). Once the process has been applied to a material it does not require re-treating.

This process does not replace the common quenching+tempering treatments although, in certain cases, it could be considered as an extension of them. Furthermore, it is compatible with other common solutions in industry (PVD coatings, nitriding, etc.) and it works well in conjunction with them.

It is important not to confuse the CRYOBEST process (or other conventional cryogenic treatments) with subzero treatments which, after tempering, subject certain types of steel to temperatures of around –80 ºC in order to increase their dimensional stability.