I think it has to do with the metals not being able to form into the molecular structure it wants to because the heat energy vibrating the molecules messes it up. Kinda like making a diamond except instead of forcing it into the configuration you try to get it to settle into it.

 

Cryo treating is a process, not to be done with a styrofoam container and nitrogen. It has to be taken down slowly and warmed back up slowly.

Cryoscience by San diego was going to do my assembled crank for $25 plus shipping to them and back. If I lived in Riverside and parts of LA they ould have picked it up and dropped it off. I didn't do it because they reccomended seperating the parts. That defeated my purpose at the time of going with the stock crank instead of rebuilding my old one with a carrillo rod. Either way cryo treating is not that expensive.

 

How long has this been around? And is there any evidence to prove it works?

 

Yosh,

go here and read up on it. It's not proof but just words but it's interesting reading.

 

I had my cylinders bored and cryoed. I was told my rings and bore will last much longer. My buddy that does this has been building race bikes for many year and swears by it. He even has a company and site that cryos brake rotors for problem cars and trucks. They have done extensive testing showing better stopping power and much less wear on the rotor. Testing has been done on Ford Super Dutys, 90's Chevy Trucks that have been plagued with brake problems for years. Sorry for the novel, but I did some researh before having this done. I am hearing more about people with real high HP bikes doing the trans gears

 

Before I sent my gears off I did a fair amount of research - didnt want to just be riding the wave of the latest "racing fad"...Turns out the process has been around since the 50's and the aerospace industry was the primary customer. It's basically an extension of the original heat treatment process. It is only effective if:

1) the metal is ferrous (iron based - a magnet sticks) and contains austenite - most gears are.
2) the original heat treatment has been performed properly (I'm guessing Yam did it right ?).

The equipment is now readily available and most places have computer controlled systems that have profiles that are specific to the type of parts treated.

Lots of people are doing this - musical instruments, gun barrels, cutting tools (drills, etc...,) vacum tubes (cathodes/anodes are metal), you name it....

Does it REALLY work ? I hope so - even if I only increased the strength by 1% - that's a 1% gain !

The weird part is that I'll never know !? If it breaks, well, it might have broken sooner without - If it never breaks, well, maybe it wouldnt have broken anyway !?!?

 

There are actualy two ways to do the same thing. There is the Cryo treatment, where they slowly take the part down to Negitive Alot (That's Really Cold) supposedly it is the temp that molicules quit moving. Than they SLOWLEY bring it back up to over 100F. They do this for a couple of cycles and that rearranges the molicules better aligned.

The other way to do the same thing is with ultra sonics. A transducer is put on the part and the FRQ is adjusted up and down to so the the molicules re arrange themselves. They know when the part is done because it quits making a sound.

Haven't done any parts yet, But with my Cannondale it might be cheap insurance to take her down and have it done.

Smitty