Thermal Cycling for Aerospace, Spacecraft and Satellite Components

The Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. offers a full range of thermal cycling processes created for a range of different applications. We are able to meet the most dramatic thermal cycling requirements because of our experience with liquid helium processing. Most of our work involves the use of liquid nitrogen. However when specifications require going below -320°F, helium is required.

We have created standard thermal cycling profiles and we can also thermal cycle using your provided specifications. As an ITAR registered company, we are also capable of fulfilling MIL/DOD specifications. Due to confidentiality agreements and Federal laws we are unable to disclose information relating to most of these thermal cycling projects.

Why should companies use thermal cycling on the aerospace and space components?

1. Thermal cycling relieves residual stresses in metals and other materials. As temperatures are lowered well below freezing, molecular activity continues to be reduced. It is at absolute zero (-459°F) that no further energy can be extracted from a material. At this point, residual stresses are relieved and they will not return once the cycle has arrived back at ambient temperature. Our thermal cycling processes typically utilize multiple heating and cooling cycles. Depending on the specifications of the thermal cycle, we will make holds at these hot and cold temperature extremes.

2. Thermal cycling conditions parts prior to exposure to extreme temperature environments. It is ideal for engineers and research and design experts to see how temperature extremes will affect their parts. This is very typical for aerospace components which cycle between very wide temperature extremes from land, to Earth’s atmosphere and beyond.

3. Thermal cycling supports lab and research & design work for testing in extremely cold environments. This allows engineers to better understand how cold temperatures will affect the materials they elect to use in specific applications. Through our experiences with thermal cycling, we have developed a wide range of techniques to meet our customer’s thermal cycling requirements. We have utilized temperature controlled atmospheric chambers as well as immersion treatments in the past. Cryogenic thermal cycling has become a mainstay of our business and we expect to expand these capabilities through the knowledge that we continue to acquire about thermal cycling.

For more information about thermal cycling, please visit our thermal cycling web page or call Robin Rhodes or Ryan Taylor at (508) 459-7447.

Tuning your car? Destroying Transmissions? This Might Help…

We all know modifying your car equals sweet speed and better performance but, the resulting gains in torque and horsepower can cause some serious issues to your stock parts. I am not the one to decide but ECU tuning is a great start for anyone looking for increased performance but, with each stage of increased horsepower and torque, mechanical parts must be replaced for the tune to work correctly. In particular, you may need to add parts such as an air intake, intercooler, exhaust, downpipe, stronger pistons, larger cams, or bigger turbos.

But, what about that transmission in your newly tuned car? Its stock and all you did was change the transmission oil previous to tuning the car. It is understood that not all tuned cars need their transmissions to be upgraded if only doing a stage 1 or 2 tune. However, it is highly dependent on the vehicle itself. The biggest issue arises from transmissions that are not made for the extra wear and tear from the extra tuned power. Other transmissions are built to handle extra power but only to a certain point. No matter what, tuning usually results in an upgraded clutch sooner or later.

So, if you are tuning that car or truck and adding significant power, then you need to think about your transmission. Some people have the money to buy a custom upgraded transmission; many do not and will go with a used transmission. Regardless of it being new or used, you should consider cryogenically treating your transmission gears and synchros before putting it all back together, especially if you are tuning that car significantly.

Cryogenically treating your transmission gears and synchros will increase their wear resistance significantly. They will wear far less when pushing out all that newly tuned power through them. At the same time, residual austenite will be converted to stronger martensite. This improves the structural integrity of the part and will keep it from flexing under stress. Cryo treating these gears and synchros will ensure that the transmission does not need to be torn down for years to come. Many people think that cryogenic treatment is a very expensive process. Gears and synchros can be cryo treated for less than several hundred dollars. In the case of 4 cylinders, treating these parts is less than $100 dollars. So, if you are going to spend money on new parts and equipment for your transmission, why not ensure that they last?

For more information about cryogenic treatment and its application to auto, truck, and motorcycle equipment, please visit Nitrofreeze: Cryo Treatment for Motor Sports.

Cryogenic Treatment Service Provider to Offer Brake Parts In-House

I have been distributing this press release across the web. As always I wanted to post it on our blog for even better visibility. In short, our company is now able to source rotors for our customers from various vendors. Our relationships with our vendors allow us to pass on deep discounts to our customers. Anyways, take a look at the press release below...

Cryogenic Treatment Service Provider to Offer Brake Parts In-House

Worcester, MA – March 25, 2009 – The Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. is pleased to announce the capability to provide brake rotors and pads for cryogenic treatment at our facility. This latest development is a result of the company’s commitment to meet the needs of auto and racing enthusiasts. The company currently provides its Nitrofreeze® cryogenic treatment service for brake rotors and pads as well as many other motorsports applications.

“We believe that adding this capability of providing our customers with brake parts will further save them money”, stated Ryan M. Taylor, Product Marketing Specialist at the Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. In recent times with more expensive fuel prices, shipping costs have grown exponentially. Sheering off one leg of shipment can create a significant cost-savings that can be realized by consumers, especially when a brake rotor weighs over 15 pounds. “This capability allows us to purchase brake rotors and pads at a significant discount, which we are able to then pass on to our customers”, added Taylor.

The capability to purchase brake rotors and pads on behalf of our customers allows us to pass on deep discounts. Through several local vendors we are able to source OEM and aftermarket brake parts for our customers. Brands available include AC Delco, Brembo, Raybestos, Zimmerman, Pagid, ATE and many others. Purchasing brake rotors and pads for cryogenic treatment directly through our company will be less expensive than having a customer source them and then ship them. Additionally, customers choose the type of brake rotors they want, whether they are original, cross-drilled or slotted.

In practice, brake parts will be purchased and delivered to the company’s cryogenic treatment lab in Worcester, Massachusetts, where they are subject to the Nitrofreeze® cryogenic treatment service. After cryo treatment, the brake rotors and pads are returned to the auto or racing enthusiast for final assembly. Purchasing these parts directly from the Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. saves on shipping, retail prices, and downtime.

Cryogenic treatment of brake rotors and pads offer many significant benefits. First, rotors will adopt a uniform grain structure which will improve thermal properties such as heat dissipation. This will allow the customers brakes to stop in shorter distances when hot. Second, residual stresses from the manufacturing process are removed. As a result, warping and cracking along the braking surface are drastically reduced. Finally, modifications within the microstructure improve toughness, part stability, and wear resistance. Rotors will last significantly longer than untreated rotors. “Our Nitrofreeze® cryogenic treatment service enables enthusiasts and everyday drivers to save money on labor costs and brake costs, while improving braking power and safety”, Taylor stated.

For more information about cryogenic treatment of brake parts, please visit our web page titled Cryogenic Treatment for Racing and Cryogenic Auto Part.

The Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc., located at 90 Ellsworth St. Worcester, MA, is dedicated to the commercial application of cryogenic technologies to serve the needs of industry, government and scientists. The firm offers a full range of cryogenic services, including cryogenic treatment, heat & freeze thermal cycling, cryogenic deflashing & deburring services, shrink fitting services, and dry ice (CO2) blast cleaning. It also offers engineering services, cryogenic lab work in support of R & D, and custom equipment design for new and unique cryogenic applications. It is a corporate sustaining member of the Cryogenic Society of America. To learn more visit http://www.nitrofreeze.com.

The Cryogenic Institute of New England Inc. was founded by Robin Rhodes and he first documented the widespread use of cryogenic treatment in motor sports applications in a paper he presented at the 23rd Heat Treat Conference of the ASM Heat Treat Society, the world’s preeminent technical body on thermal processing of metals. Both Rhodes and the company have been featured in numerous stories and technical articles about cryogenic treatment. Most recently, this has included being featured in the racing industry’s leading technical journal, Race Engine Technology, for its Nitrofreeze® cryogenic treatment service.

Cryogenic Helium Processing

This is a press release that was made about a month ago. However, I wanted to add it to our blog, so that other people can see it.

Cryogenic Helium Processing Approaches New Levels of Affordability

Worcester, MA – June 30, 2008 – The Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. introduces a new capability of utilizing liquid helium for cryogenic treatment of materials to temperatures as low as 4K /-268C/-451F. Measurements were recorded by attaching a spring loaded silicone diode cryogenic temperature sensor rated to 1.4K with a calibrated accuracy of +/- 10mK.

The procedure involves the utilization of a specially modified cryogenic chamber that was designed and constructed in collaboration with technology partner Applied Cryogenics Inc. The chamber utilizes multiple dedicated delivery systems for introduction of both liquid nitrogen and liquid helium. The system also utilizes an advanced insulation scheme that involves a combination of sophisticated polyisoanurate materials, as well as vacuum and liquid nitrogen jackets for maximum effectiveness. A proprietary method for controlling the delivery of the helium to the chamber enables controlled rates of temperature change.

According to Robin Rhodes, President of Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc., the capability grew from the needs of its aerospace customers who sought extreme temperature cycling for residual stress relief of critical components. “It was a natural extension for us to push beyond the limits of liquid nitrogen (77K/-196C/-320F), where we work every day, into the coldest cryogens available”, Rhodes stated. The company reported that they have delivered controlled cryogenic treatment profiles at temperatures ranging from 16K to 4K (-257C/-430F to -268C/-451F) over a dozen times in the past year. The temperatures and profiles were specified by the firm’s customers, who Rhodes declined to identify because of confidentiality agreements.

While the majority of applications have been related to aerospace, the firm has also offered the capability to researchers and other industries, including electronics. Cost for the treatment varies, depending on ramp and soak times, but Rhodes estimates that his firm can offer a near absolute zero treatment cycle (to 4K) for less than 30% of the cost of similar processing as offered through governmental and other research organizations. “We feel that we have a real price breakthrough that will lead to further commercialization of ultra deep cryogenic treatments for residual stress relief and other transformations in materials”, Mr. Rhodes stated.

The Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc., located at 90 Ellsworth St. Worcester, MA, is dedicated to the commercial application of cryogenic technologies to serve the needs of industry, government and scientists. The firm offers a full range of cryogenic services, including conventional cryogenic treatment, heat & freeze thermal cycling, cryogenic deflashing & deburring services, shrink fitting services, and dry ice (CO2) blast cleaning. It also offers engineering services, cryogenic lab work in support of R & D, and custom equipment design for new and unique cryogenic applications. It is a corporate sustaining member of the Cryogenic Society of America. To learn more visit http://www.nitrofreeze.com/.