A cryogenic processing service is generally accepted to be the “chilling” of a desired component using liquid nitrogen (LN2), or “dry ice” as a medium. But how cold does a cryogenic engine treatment need to be? There exists a temperature range in which a “cold phase change” will place in the vast majority of materials, this “cold phase change” begins at a temperature near that of liquid nitrogen (-320F). The only way to achieve this temperature at the components core is to utilize a controlled proprietary process that will expose them to (direct contact) with liquid nitrogen. “Gas freezing”, which is the predominant method used by virtually all other cryogenic process providers is insufficient to remove enough latent heat at a component’s core to reach the “cold phase change” temperature regime. It is important for the customer to know that with the CSF, LLC proprietary “direct contact” cryogenic processing, there will never be any ice develop on your cryogenic parts. This should be of paramount importance as you decide on which company to hire to cryo your expensive components. Simply visit any other cryo company’s website, and see what we mean. Ice build-up on parts, processor door left open during the cycle (white clouds pouring out), and components are even left in the box! You cannot properly cryo a component that’s still in the box! Also, look at how they stack boxes (and who knows what else), all the way to the top of the cryo processor. The ”working zone” inside any processor is no higher than mid way to the top. Loaded any higher and it becomes impossible to have control over those parts absolute temperature. Again, the atmospheric temperature measured inside near the top of any given processor will be at least (150F+) higher than at the bottom. Those are some noteworthy indications which scream-out that these other companies don’t know what they are doing with regard to cryogenic processing. They are just taking your money!

The true changes you can expect to see in the physical properties of engine and/or power-train components cryogenically processed utilizing the CSF, LLC direct contact cryogenic treatment:

• Uniform compressive stress, tantamount to shot peening, but reaching the core
• Increase in the heat transfer coefficient (heat exchangers are more efficient etc.)
• Improved harmonic resonance (reduced “white noise”)
• Stronger ionic bonding with PVD coatings, such as DLC (diamond like carbon)
• Increase in the component core strength
• Improved lattice and micro-grain structure
• Increase in dynamic stability (cylinder bores stay more round etc.)
• Enhanced machinability
• >Increase in wear resistance (300%-1000%)
• Subsurface micro-fissures in many cases healed
• Increase in fatigue resistance

Well known to the aerospace and racing industries, The REM™ Surface Engineering Company has developed one of the best, most versatile superfinishing, or micro-polishing systems in the world, which holds a Department of Defense (DOD) certification, among others. CSF, LLC is a high-end licensed REM™ ISF™ superfinishing facility. We are unsurpassed in our ability to super finish precision engine/powertrain components of all types. This means processing all projects one at a time. Having an advanced understanding of race engine and powertrain technology enables the CSF, LLC micro-polishng team to employ detailed masking and preparation techniques to protect all vital surfaces from over-refining, as well as any colloidal damage. Every tolerance is taken into account and protected with proprietary machined fixtures. This ensures there will be no indiscriminate material removal. Additionally, extensive pre-process profiling, shaping, and de-burring are performed. For example, dozens of man hours are required to prepare a gear box assembly prior to the REM™ superfinish treatment. One cannot merely hire a so-called “technician” to load-up a vibratory bowl (“to the hilt”) with expensive parts, remove them after a timer goes off, and expect a world class result.

The true results you can expect to see with components that are optimized by CSF, LLC using the REM™ superfinishing treatment:

• Tightly controlled material removal, specific attention to crankshaft and other bearing journal surfaces (no indiscriminate material removal).
• Proprietary profiling, de-burring and shaping of gear teeth and shift-dogs, promoting smooth, rapid wide-open throttle (WOT) shifts (motorcycles).
• All components are carefully inspected, all dings, burrs and other surface defects are repaired as necessary
• Needle and rolling element bearings are disassembled, prepped and processed individually.
• Synchro-mesh style gear box synchro-teeth, and friction-cone surfaces are carefully masked using custom proprietary machined fixtures.
• Crankshaft counter-weights are streamline shaped, and ground smooth prior to processing, bearing journal areas are carefully processed.
• All machined asperities are removed and micro-isotropic lines are imparted on all surfaces; the ideal texture to promote oil “wetting” and a full film hydrodynamic (HD) or elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHD) condition.
• An ideal prepared surface finish for the application of DLC or other PVD coatings.