Cryogenic treatment
A cryogenic treatment is the process of treating workpieces to cryogenic temperatures (typically around -300 °F / -184 °C, or as low as −190 °C (−310 °F)) in order to remove residual stresses and improve wear resistance in steels and other metal alloys, such as aluminum. In addition to seeking enhanced stress relief and stabilization, or wear resistance, cryogenic treatment is also sought for its ability to improve corrosion resistance by precipitating micro-fine eta carbides, which can be measured before and after in a part using automated image analysis.