This news article was originally written in Spanish. It has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace a human translator. The original article in Spanish can be viewed at Un nuevo tratamiento térmico de materiales mediante ciclos criogénicos

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A new thermal treatment of materials by means of cryogenic cycles

Drafting MU15/11/2003

In the 1960s and 1970s Nasa found that materials exposed to extreme temperatures of outer space had a variation of its features. This corroborated, which since it is sensed, that temperatures have permanent effects on a wide range of materials.

What is the Coldfire process?

As a result, because in the 1980s and especially in North America, developed processes of industrial application which, to a greater or lesser degree, get results by submitting materials at cryogenic temperatures for prolonged periods of time.

In recent years Coldfire Technologies has developed and patented a new process that exceeds the results of traditional cryogenic treatments reduced process times. The materials are subject to cycles of temperature may be approaching the boiling of the nitrogen (- 196 ° C), following cooling and heating curves preset based on the material and component to be treated. The entire process is performed in an inert atmosphere and with a precise control of the temperatures.

The process affects the microstructure of materials, and as a result, in many cases improve dramatically certain properties of the same. It's a permanent treatment that affects all of the material; in other words, it is not a surface treatment. On the other hand, it a totally respectful process with the environment, because that does not produce any disposal or waste.

What are the benefits of the Coldfire process?

The realization of treatment contributes to improve the performance of the material in aspects such as:

Resistance to the various mechanisms of wear and tear and adhesion.
Increase of tenacity.
Dimensional stability and removal of internal tensions.
Eumento of life to fatigue, both mechanical and thermal.
Best electrical and thermal conductivity
Improvement of machinability and surface finish.
Vibration reduction

In any case, the practical results obtained with the process largely dependent on the type of material and the considered application.

What materials respond to treatment?

There are many materials in which the treatment of Coldfire has positive effects. These include most of the metals and, even, some polymers:

Tools, stainless steel, alloy steel...
Aluminium and its alloys
Copper and brass
Titanium and superallos (nickel...)
Hard metal and ceramic materials
Some polymers (nylon, Teflon...)

In the case of steel, the process of Coldfire is an extension of traditional heat treatment (does not replace the conventional temple, but that carried out subsequent to the same). On the other hand, you can apply as supportive of the coatings care and most common surface treatments in the industry, with which it is compatible.

Most metals and some polymers allow the Coldfire treatment.
However, in the case of the steel is an extension
traditional thermal treatments

What are the most commonly used applications?

The Coldfire process applies to problems of durability and wear: knives, saws, drills, strawberries, inserts, moulds, dies, matrices, punches, tools, etc. It also applies when, Furthermore, seeks greater resistance to the mechanical or thermal fatigue: electrodes for welding by resistance, gears, Motors etc. At the same time that the process is used to eliminate tensions, a higher quality finish or great dimensional stability: tools of precision, sizes, etc.

The treatment is applied in sectors such as metalworking, steel, timber, mining, construction, automotive, aerospace, medical, chemical, electronic, sports equipment, musical instruments, etc.