Cryogenic Processing for Capels, North Carolina

Cryogenic processing makes changes to the crystal structure of materials. The major results of these changes are to enhance the abrasion resistance and fatigue resistance of the materials for our customers in Capels, North Carolina (McDowell County). In general, the process refines the crystal structure of metals and crystalline plastics. Although there has not been definitive research on the subject, the theory is that it crystal structures are not perfect. Some research shows that there are millions of vacancies per cubic inch of metal in the crystal lattice. Also, some atoms are not ideally located in respect to their nearest neighbors. The process relieves residual stresses in metals.

This has been borne out by several research projects as well as by practical use. Our machine manufacturer has worked closely with customers who cryogenically treat metal before heat treat to reduce the distortion of the metal during heat treat. NASA is one of them. Gage makers have used cold temperatures to stabilize metals for years. In Ferrous metals, it converts retained austenite to martensite and promotes the precipitation of very fine carbides. It has been known for many years that cold will cause retained austenite to change to martensite. (The terms austenite and martensite refer to the way the carbon atoms relate to the ferrous atoms in the crystal lattice structure. Note that we refer to a crystal lattice structure. A lot of people try to talk about the "molecular" structure of metals. Metals are metals because they are crystalline in nature.

This cutting edge cryogenic processing is now available in Capels, North Carolina (McDowell County).

The crystal structure is what gives the metals their ability to conduct heat and electricity, their ability to plastically deform, and their ability to be hardened.) This can be verified through publications such as Machinery's Handbook, ASM's Metals Handbook and more. Even the best heat treating facility will leave somewhere between ten and twenty percent retained austenite in ferrous metals. We've seen over 40% on gears and shafts made for commercial and racing applications. Because austenite and martensite have different size crystal structures, there will be stresses built in to the crystal structure where the two co-exist.

Cryogenic processing for our customers in Capels, North Carolina (McDowell County) eliminates these stresses by converting most of the retained austenite to martensite. This also creates a possible problem. If there is a lot of retained austenite in a part, the part will grow due to the transformation. This is because the austenitic crystals are about 4% smaller than the martensitic crystals due to their different crystal structure.

For this reason CPM Fastools considers the joining of Laser Sintering and the use of Cryogenics proprietary to our manufacturing process. Extraordinary effort has been exerted in finding the correct processing curves and mold shrinkage factors. All this - now available in Capels, North Carolina (McDowell County).

Providing Cryogenic Processing in Capels, North Carolina (McDowell County).