Cryogenic treatment of metals to improve wear resistance

Abstract

Nineteen metals, including 12 tool steels, 3 stainless steels, and 4 other steels, were subjected to cryogenic treatments to determine the difference between a 189 K soak and a -77 K soak in improving the abrasive wear resistance. The tool steels exhibited a significant increase in wear resistance after the soak at 77 K and a less dramatic increase after the 189 K soak. There was an increase in the wear resistance after the cryogenic treatment for the stainless steels, but the difference between the two treatment was less than 10%. The plain carbon steel and the cast iron showed no improvement after either cryogenic treatment. © 1982.