cryo treating - worth it? Long *LINK*
Jonathan Ronnow, Sweden
>Just read this article somewhere about cryogenical treatment of steels, to transform remaining austenite to martensite. Leonard Lee also mentions cryo in the complete sharpening guide. Below is a quote from the article Ive linked to:
*snip*
The fine ETA carbide particles, called precipitates, are formed during the long cryogenic soak. These are in addition to the larger carbide particles that are present before the start of the cryogenic treatment. It is these fine particles, called fillers, that along with the larger particles, form a denser more coherent and importantly tougher matrix in the material. Since the surface energy of the martensite is higher than that of the austenite, due to the differences in their atomic structures, you then have a potential wear situation. The martensite is less likely to tear out from the parent material than is the austenite. Cryogenic treatment conclusively reduces the wear on materials. *snip*
Ok... thats sounds good. If one assumes that the heat treatment left some austenite in my chisels, then freezing those will make them last longer by converting austenite to martensite. How much improved they will be depends on how much austenite they had and how good the cryo-treater is.
Lie-Nielsen cryotreats his blades, *snip* our research convinces us that Cryogenically treated A-2 will hold an edge significantly longer if properly done *snip*
So. Has anyone tried, or is anyone interested in trying, to cryo-treat their chisels, planer/jointer knives, hand plane blades etc?
I wonder how for example my Iyoroi chisels would respond, being carbon steel very hard. Or how my planer knives would respond, being hss.
I think one of the mags sent out a batch of tools to be treated promising to get back on their performance. Anyone know how they are doing?
I realise that some of these articles about cryo treatments beneficial effects probably should be taken with a grain or two of salt, but it would be interesting and possibly beneficial to have a hands on test with a cryo contra non-cryo tool.
I dont know who treats, but that could be found out of. Myself, Im not so frequent a user of my tools that Id be able to make useful comparisons over a reasonable time, but Id be willing to contribute to such a test since it may be benificial. After all, if they can be reasonably improved without requiring too much fuss, time or money, it would be worth it for me. I have no idea about costs however, Im just throwing this idea out. Your input in whatever form is much welcome!