Quote:
Materials Science and Technology Conference and Exhibition 2012, MS and T 2012
Volume 2, 2012, Pages 1102-1113
Materials Science and Technology Conference and Exhibition 2012, MS and T 2012; Pittsburgh, PA; United States; 7 October 2012 through 11 October 2012; Code 96346
The effect of cryogenic treatment on 4X40 steels (Conference Paper)
Hespos, M.R.a, Mulligan, C.P.b
a U.S. Army - ARDEC, Advanced Materials Technology Branch, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, United States
b U.S. Army - ARDEC, Benet Laboratories, Watervliet Arsenal, NY, United States
View references (9)
Abstract
The effect of cryogenic treatment on 4X40 series steel was studied. The study included chemistry, microstructure, microhardness, tensile, fracture toughness, fatigue crack propagation, x-ray diffraction for retained austenite and tribological testing. Credible, independent test data about the effects of cryogenic treatment on 4X40 series steels is lacking. The test results show that cryogenic treatment offers no significant benefit on the properties of 4X40 steels. A smaller test regimen, focused on tribological testing of carbo-nitrided 1018 steel, found a reduction in coefficient of friction from 0.54 to 0.45 and a reduction in wear rate by 30% were recorded.
Author keywords
4140 steel; 4340 steel; Case hardened steel; Cryogenic treatment; Mechanical properties; Wear properties
The studies I can find which have found benefits from cryo treatment are all on tool steels and/or cutting equipment for machining. I can't find a study that suggests cryo treatment offers any benefits for axles or similar components.