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Experimental Cryogenic Treatment

Cryogenic Processing

We are the pioneers of cryogenic processing on experimental aircraft engines to enhance performance and reliability. We were the first aircraft engine shop to own a cryo machine and developed custom temperature curves that no other cryo shop had dedicated the resources to try. Our motto is to set standards that others can only hope to follow, and we have spared no expense on our cryo technology to achieve that goal. We have spent the last 15 years raising the bar on building bulletproof cylinders and aircraft engine components through cryogenic treatment.

Our exclusive process has been used by numerous high-performance aircraft engine shops worldwide, including high compression 15:1 engines running in Reno. We were the behind the scenes innovators who introduced enhanced cryo temperature curves that helped stop Lycoming crankshaft breakage with the top teams running high compression Lycoming 540’s in Reno. According to one of the best NASCAR engine shops, cryo treating crankshafts eliminates up to 85% of harmonics in addition to wear resistance. Almost every part in your aircraft engine, can benefit from cryo treatment.

Why should you consider using Cryogenic treatment?

NASA, the US Military, NASCAR, and many other high end users have come to realize that without cryo, their products are sub-standard, but with cryo, they are at the top of their game. Other highly visible organizations such as the US Postal Service and LAPD, as well as many other fleet operators, specify and require cryo’d brake and related components for their operations. Don’t get left behind!

How can Cryogenic treatment help my parts?

Cryogenic treatment increases the strength and durability, safety, and performance, of almost all aircraft materials in a cost-effective manner. Cryo refines the molecular structure and eliminates void areas in metals and many other materials. It is a furtherance of a heat treating process, not a replacement for it. Proper heat treating is a must prior to cryo in order to maintain dimensional stability and original hardness.

If you looked at a part through an electron microscope, you would see the molecular structure is in patches, with voids in between each patch of molecules. Cryo evenly spaces the molecules in relation to one another, creating a denser molecular structure without a significant change in hardness. This means materials will have enhanced wear resistance, improved dimensional stability and will be stress-relieved. This process will also enable parts to have uniform heat transfer, resulting in cooler operating temperatures with less friction and less breakage. Reduced maintenance cost and downtime is also a major factor when considering cryogenic treatment.

How is the process performed?

Using state of the art computer controlled technology, with precise temperature regulation and a dry nitrogen atmosphere, the materials are deep cryogenically treated, or chilled, to -300° F at a slow descent of about 1° drop per minute. This slow temp reduction is VERY IMPORTANT! While our precise temperature curves are proprietary, the parts are held at -300°  F for an extended period of time and are then slowly post tempered at +300° F. The thermal cycle takes about 2-3 days to complete. This is a permanent, one-time process and is NOT a coating. Extreme care is exercised when handling and treating your parts. We have standard racing curves, which work well for most applications, and have also developed enhanced curves for hotrod racing aircraft engines.

Be advised! Not all cryo is the same. Some shops use more primitive and cheaper methods, which net unpredictable and sometimes unfavorable results. These shops might use nitrogen vapor or dry ice to get to shallow cryo temps (about -130° F), and then flood the chamber with liquid nitrogen to get to -300° F. In our opinion, liquid nitrogen should NEVER touch your parts. This might work OK for cars, but in no way should your aircraft engine part ever be subjected to that type of thermal shock. Our years of testing and investment in top of the line cryogenic processing equipment, have proven that going slow with cryo is the best way to help you go fast in the air.

Call PAP now and talk to Seth about how to make your aircraft engine parts bulletproof!

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