Corvette: Has anyone tried 'CRYO' treating of parts ??

I have not done this to any car parts, but I do general metal work and
have done some to other metals and metallic items.

If done *properly* it would/could offer huge gains in strength and
durability.

For small metal parts(Bolts, nuts, washers, pins, Etc.) you can just
dump them into a container of liquid nitrogen and let them "soak" for
4-5 hours, take them out, bring to room temp and "soak" them again.

For larger parts (Block, Crank, Heads and even Valves) I would get
done by a professional who will put them in a dry chamber, and bring
the temp down slowly to ensure an even rate of cooling through the
entire part.

Then they will reverse the process bringing them back to room temp. at
a very controled rate.



I wouldn't think many people would really benefit from this, B/C most
people are not running silly HP and Torque #'s but if you plan on
abuseing your engine and trans, or running crazy high output its a
good way to ensure you have the most durable hunk of metal possible.


net (dave) wrote in message news:<public.lawson.webtv.net>... 

John, Can the public obtain a container of liquid nitrogen ? If so,
where ?

Thanks, Dave

___________________________________________
'Wrap your be-hind in fiberglass , and drive a piece of Americana'
___________________________________________

You can probably get it from any vendor that sells welding or other
industrial gases. But to do vryogenic treatments you need specialized
tools and instruments to meter & contain the nitrogen.

================================================== ======
On Thu, 9 Oct 2003 07:56:51 -0500 (CDT), net
(dave) wrote:
 

Most of the time yes, anyone can buy it. Besides being extreamly
cold, its pretty safe stuff(just don't get any on you!)

You can get liquid nitrogen from a few locations depending in the
region where you live. Medical supply stores carry it, see the yellow
pages or call a local hospital.

Sometimes even things like Farmers Co-Op's and Farm suppliers keep the
stuff or can order it for you.


The amount to get 1 pound of steel to -300 is about 1/4 liter. so if
you wanted to keep say 1 pound of small parts cold for along time your
going to need afew gallons and a GOOD insulated container.

The good thing is the stuffs usually pretty cheap, comes in a great
container that will keep it from evaporating off quickly.

Just remember that your life and your cars life can/will depend on the
condition of these parts. I would NOT suggest doing large parts on
your own with out extensive research and building a special device to
slowly adjust temp.


Even with small parts(nuts/bolts) your going to need to get them very
cold before you put them in straight liquid nitrogen. A standard
freezer is a start then introduce them into a container that has no
actual liquid nitrogen. cool it externally with liquid N. then once
they are VERY VERY cold, you could pour the liquid on them, cap the
cooler and leave for awhile.


an easy way to do this is to get 2 metal cans one larger than the
other. Like a COFFEE can and a SOUP can. make a metal stand or somehow
secure the smaller in the larger so that liquid can surround the
smaller.

Place that into the best insulating container you can get/find.

Place your parts into the small can.

First pour a good amount of Liquid Nitrogen in the larger can... once
the temp drops and metal gets extreamly cold, pour in some into the
smaller. keep it cold for acoupple of hours, not letting the liquid
Nitrogen to evaporate totally off the metal pieces(nuts/ bolts).

after 2-3 hours just make sure the insulating container is sealed up
good and tight and the next day your parts should be back to room temp
and much more durable.



Professional services do larger pieces for a resonable price of about
50 - 400 dollars for Heads to an entire engines worth of parts(block
included).


net (dave) wrote in message news:<public.lawson.webtv.net>... 

Good info.Many thanks,

Dave

___________________________________________
'Wrap your be-hind in fiberglass , and drive a piece of Americana'
___________________________________________

NASA

Process45 wrote: 

Worked well for Challenger and Columbia.

Hobbes (no cryo parts on my Z06, and no re-entry issues)

--
________________________________
Klecko's Komrades. All the way in 2003