Cryogenicsis the science that addresses the production and effects

of very low temperatures. The word originates from the Greek words
'kryos'meaning"frost" and 'genic'meaning"to produce.
Cryogenichardening is acryogenictreatment process where the
material is cooled to very low temperatures. By using liquid nitrogen,
the temperature can go as low as 190 C. It can have a profound
effect on the mechanical properties of certain materials, such as steels
or tungsten carbide.

Cryogenic machining involves the application of a cryogenic fluid in

the machining process, primarily as a coolant (figure 1.1). In certain
material removal processes, it could also be used as a
cutting/abrading medium.
The cryogen could be applied as an
external spray through a nozzle to perform both conductive and
convective cooling of the cutting process or could be applied indirectly
to cool the cutting tool through conduction alone.
Generally the term cryogenic refers to fluids that have boiling point
lower than 150C (-238F). By that definition, cryogenic fluids include
liquefied gases of air, nitrogen, argon, oxygen, hydrogen and helium.
Liquid nitrogen has been the most widely used cryogenic coolant in
machining operations, mainly because of its inert behavior and low
cost. However, there have been other efforts involving liquid carbon
dioxide, cold gases and solid/gas mixtures as coolants or cutting
medium. For the purpose of this report, the term cryogenic would
be broadened to include those approaches as well.

THE ROLE OF CRYOGENICS IN

MACHINING PROCESSES
Franci Pu avec, Antun Stoi , Janez
Kopacc

Nitrogen characteristics
Molecular formula: N
Molecular weight: 28,01
Specific gravity: 0,967 while for air is 1
Specific volume: 0,867 m3/kg
Boiling Point: 195,8 C
Liquid to gas expansion ratio: 1:693
Liquid density: 808,5 kg/m3

Cryogenics

Early history of cryogenic machining

(1950 1975)

The earliest known application of cryogenic machining occurred in the

1950s. Bartle [1953] describes a setup for the application of highpressure (850 - 900 psi) liquid carbon dioxide coolant in machining of
heat-resistant steel. Doubling of cutting speeds and feeds were
reported. Hollis [1961] adopted a similar approach for machining of
titanium and nimonic alloys with 1000 psi liquid carbon dioxide
coolant. Cryogenic cooling and inert gas shielding were shown to
significantly improve tool life at higher speeds, but simultaneous
hardening of the work material was observed, due to possible
dissociation of the CO2 gas and absorption of the carbon. A few years
later, researchers at Grumman Aircraft Manufacturing [1965] reported
increased material removal rates in machining of titanium, with liquid
nitrogen and liquid carbon dioxide as coolants. Uehara and Kumagai
[1969, 1970] experimented with cooling of workpiece in liquid nitrogen
during machining of titanium, carbon and stainless steels and
concluded that material behavior at cryogenic temperatures was
different for different metals and resulted in significant variability in
tool life, surface roughness and flank wear parameters. Hindhede
[1970] conducted machining tests on low carbon and stainless steels
by partially submerging the workpiece in a liquid nitrogen bath. He

A few patents related to cryogenic machining were also filed during

this period. Dudley [US3971114] filed a patent on machining of
superalloys utilizing cryogenic coolant jetting on the flank face of the
tool using the through-the-tool cooling approach. Lightstone et. al.
[US3900975] developed a process for cryogenic grinding of copper by
immersing the copper workpiece in a liquid nitrogen bath, thereby
minimizing adhesive wear at high material removal rates. Vayda
[GB1387693] developed an approach for cryogenic drilling of printed
circuit boards to generate cleaner hole-surfaces.

Cryogenics

Cryogenics

CRYOGENIC COOLING
APPROACHES
Cryogenic Pre-cooling the Workpiece

Indirect Cryogenic cooling

Cryogenic spraying and jet cooling

Photograph of tool holder and coolant delivery

Cryogenics

Cryogenics

Cryogenics

Cryogenics

Cryogenics

Cryogenics

Cryogenics

Cryogenics

Cryogenics

Cryogenics

Cryogenics

Cryogenics

Cryogenics

Cryogenics

Cryogenics

Cryogenics

Cryogenics

Cryogenics

Cryogenics

Cryogenics

Cryogenics