Applications Fatigue / Fiability

Wear resistance and fatigue life are two of the material properties which can be improved using the CRYObest® process. Some of our experiences in this field have shown us some very interesting results. These following examples show the enormous variety of applications where fatigue life and reliability are critical factors.

There is an amazing improvement in the life of springs. The performance of a spring progressively fades out until its elasticity become so small that it becomes useless or even breaks. We treat thousands of springs for a company that uses them in movable parts of plastic injection moulding. They have more than doubled the number of parts manufactured before they need to replace the springs.

Another stunning result turned up in a fatigue test ordered by a customer which was carried out in a laboratory. With the treatment the product in question multiplied by three its fatigue life under test conditions with reduced dispersion in the results.

In general, the CRYObest® process brings about reduced maintenance costs thanks to the increased life in several industrial components and spare parts. Gears, bearings, guides,… wear less and have a longer and more reliable life.

A large number of applications and parts which can be treated are related to the world of motor racing. Mainly in the USA, several teams joining NASCAR, Indy, IRL, CART… are getting enormous benefits from the spectacular improvement in the reliability of the components submitted to the CRYObest® process. Remember that “to finish first you must first finish”.

Virtually every component of an engine and transmission will respond to the process, increasing the life of the treated part and improving reliability:

· cylinders (deformation is avoided)
· pistons (distort less under use)
· crankshafts and connecting rod (fatigue life increases).
· engine blocks and head gaskets (reduced warping and distortion, better heat dissipation)
· valve springs (reduced amount of spring constant lost)
· clutches ( less wear)
· transmissions (fatigue life increases)
· gear boxes (gears wear much less)
· brake rotors (improved effectiveness, last longer and do not warp)
· etc.

When treating the complete engine, it is not strange to find slight increases in horse power and torque.

Brake rotors are one of the most remarkable applications. These elements work under strong stress. Not only wear but also warping or fatigue cracks can lead to rotor failure. The CRYObest® process drastically improves their life and performance:

· Rotors last more than double and wear evenly
· Brake pads last longer as a consequence of a less degraded rotor surface
· More braking effectiveness and less fading
· Avoids the formation of cracks and warping

The Phillips Centre for Industrial Technology in Eindhoven (Holland), made pen-on-disk tests with samples of GG25 cast iron. This material is commonly used in the manufacturing of brake rotors. The conclusion is shown below and it should be noted that the treated samples wear half as much as the other samples:

Average wear factor, k, in [m∑/N] of the pen
of 3 tests for different material treatments.

The benefits of treated brake rotors can be got not only under the extreme situations found in motor sports. Fleets of ambulances, taxis, police, fire trucks, couriers, military vehicles… are more and more using treated rotors. Apart from better performance the maintenance costs are greatly reduced.

Please do not hesitate to contact us to comment on your application. Find out here where and how the CRYObest® process is successfully working. (PDF 68kb)