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Does Cryoing Work For Everything But Audio?

Hello Posy,

You've hit upon yet one more topic most of the strictly scientifically oriented, measurement/specificationist aka "objectivitsts" will poo-poo as being an unproven idea.

Before discussing "if" cryoing works or not we need to deteremine what cryoing something means and entails. The word, "CRYOGENICS" is derived from two Greek words - "kryos" which means cold or freezing, and "genes" meaning born or generated. Deep cryogenics (below -300F) has created many new applications, as well as in ultra-cold temperature physics.

Cryogenic processing involves lowering the temperature of an object to sub zero temperature. With most metals, this means dropping the temperature to a least -300 degrees F. Although some companies claim to cryogenically treat metals with dry ice (fp=-110 degrees F) or with ice and alcohol, the experts in the field agree that it is necessary to go down considerably lower than this in order to reap all the substantial benefits of the process. So just placing something in a freezer overnight or even a few days isn't going to be a properly cryogeniclly processed component.

Equally important to the temperature attained is how that temperature is obtained. Exposing something to a very sudden change in temperature causes residual stresses, cracks, and other problems. It is very important that the temperature of an object be brought down at a controlled rate that is compatible with the material. A typical cryo process first involves preparing your tooling and or other component to be placed in the processor. The chamber is sealed and the temperature is dropped to -300 degrees F over a period of 12 hours. Then it stays for 24 hours at -300 degrees F using liquid nitrogen (the liquid nitrogen never comes in contact with parts). When the parts have been at the proper temperature for the appropriate time, then after 24 hours it is allow to come up to temperature very slowly as not to damage anything. The tooling and or other components are tempered to the proper temperature three times.

According to Controlled Thermal Processing, Inc. Over 50% of the cars starting a NASCAR Nextel Cup® race are running parts treated by Controlled Thermal Processing, Inc. As seen here: http://www.metal-wear.com/racing.htm Do you honestly think that NASCAR doesn't do any research into whether or not this expense is justified? Controlled Thermal Processing states virtually any part that is stressed or worn during a race can benefit from cryogenic processing and that cryogenic processing: 1) Improves Reliability, 2) Reduces Wear, 3) Reduces Distortion & 4) Increases Horsepower and/or Torque.

Here's what some scientific studies have deterimined...

1) A study performed at Jassy Institute in Romania used a scanning electron microscope with a microscopic counting device to evaluate additional changes to the structure of the steel. The study found the number of countable small carbides increased throughout a heat treatable steel from 33,000 per square millimeter to over 80,000 per square millimeter as a result of cryogenic processing. This increase in carbides adds greatly to the wear resistance of a part. The carbides make a refined flat "super-hard" surface on the metal, like two pieces of smooth glass rubbed together have much lower friction than two pieces of sandpaper when rubbed together. A refined surface structure is not only more wear resistant, but also reduces friction and heat, allowing more rapid movement. Using the latest particle counter, it was able to count "hardening" of metal as it changed at molecular level. "From Dr. Joan Alexandru and Dr. Constantin Picos, Polytechnic Institute of Jassy, Romania."

2) Study of Cryogenically Treated carbide tooling showed performance increase of up to 400 percent. "Arizona State University"

3) In an additional study supports the increased life claim. The scientists found that for various metal samples processed at -320 degrees F, the wear resistance was approximately 2 to 5 times greater than that for samples processed at -120 degrees F. "Department of Mechanical Engineering at Louisiana Tech University."

4) Tests done demonstrated cryogenic processing extended the life of circuit boards in military applications, specifically boards used in cruise missiles. "Boeing/Sunstrand"

5) Tests on experimental thin film magnetic memory wafers showed increased conductivity of metallic layers, reduced residual stress between layers, and possible (but not fully confirmed) "healing" of vacancies in the layers. "Honeywell"

Here's what Controlled Thermal Processing, Inc. says about audio components and cryogenic processing. Cyrogenic processing has some interesting effects on electronics and on stereo equipment. At this point, we are not quite sure why. However, what we are seeing is real: 1) Better Sound Reproduction, 2) Longer Life, 3) Reduced Rise Time in Transistors, 3) Increased Efficiency in Transformers and 4) Longer Contact Life. Plus cryogenic processing glass is known to achieve an almost perfectly annealed quality, which would work with tubes. They also claim cryogenic processing of audio equipment has been shown in numerous blind tests to improve the quality of sound in virtually all audio equipment and audio equipment components.

According to Cryogenics International the reason optical discs i.e. CDs, DVDs, and SACDs sound better is because they're inherently full of stress from the cooling of the polycarbonate from the injection mold process. These "clouds" cause birefringence, which affects sound quality. Our cryogenic process "clarifies" and "aligns" the polycarbonate so the laser can read the "pits" and "lands" accurately without refraction. The result is truer retrieval of the digital music. With vacuum tubes they're dramatically improved by the reduction of residual stress and uniformity of structure. Residual stress increases the resonance of a vacuum tube and a vacuum tube exhibits much resonance, so it is very beneficial to use this process to reduce resonance thereby improving quality.

Manufacturers use cryogenics to treat guns, car/aircraft engines, musical instruments, golf clubs, mill cutters, broaches, drill bits, punches, dies, taps, molds, granulator blades, DME dies, trimmers, slitters, knives, extruder dies, cut-off knives, punches, chippers,
etc. Are we supposed to believe all these companies just subjectively decided that cryogenically processing their components seems to be an improvement so that justifies the added expense? PA-leeeeasssee, companies typically look to cut every uneeded expense they can. They do research, if the extra expense isn't justified the supposedly better cryogenically parts/components wouldn't be purchased period. Knowing that these people have seen vast improvements when using cryogenically processed parts/components are we audiophiles/music lovers supposed to believe cryogenic processing works for everything but audio components, just because a few quite vocal people refuse to believe it does? Thats's something each and everyone of us needs to decide for ourselves. So does cryogenic processing improve how an audio component will sound? That's a question everyone has to answer for themselves.

Here are some links on cryogenic processing to help you decide for yourself.

http://www.nwcryo.com/Electronics.html
http://www.hekimianracing.com/cryoracer.html
http://www.fountainheadcryo.com/Default.aspx?tabid=324
http://www.cryogenicsinternational.com/shooting.htm
http://www.cryone.us/
http://www.metal-wear.com/index.htm

Thetubeguy1954

"If you thought that science was certain - well, that is just an error on your part.” Richard Feynman theoretical physicist, 1918-1988






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