Cryogenic Processing is a process that uses cold to make changes in materials. Most metals respond to cryogenic processing. So do some plastics and some ceramics. The process has a lot of uses and can be used to improve the life of many items. It can definitly give a company or racer a competitive advantage.

We are just beginning to understand why cryogenic processing works. We've known for years bout its ability to transform retained austenite in hardened steel, and also about its propensity to relieve residual stresses. It has been shown to create carbides in metal. But none of this explains why it works on copper, aluminum, titanium, and other metals, not to mention ceramics and plastics.

The pages in this section of our web page are not extremely glitzy, but they are here to help explain what is happening with the process. They will change over time as we add more and learn more about this fabulous process. Keep looking into them when you have a chance.

Penguins, Polar Bears, Eskimos and Snowmen
The field of cryogenic processing has been flooded with "get rich quick" companies popping up like mushrooms after a summer rain.  They often have cute logos with arctic themes.   They talk about "molecular structure" and "densifying metal" and other such ridiculous stuff.   They talk about "Thermal Cycling".   They blather away about Deep Cryogenic Tempering and Cryotempering.  They talk about controlling temperatures to 0.1 degree.   A lot of them claim to have invented cryogenic processing, thermal cycling, deep cryogenic tempering and the like.  (We've traced it back to the mid 1930's, before most of these people were even alive.  See the History of Cryogenic Processing.  Few of these people have taken the time to learn about the process or about metallurgy.  We are often asked to clean up the messes they make.  Cries for help come from as far away as New Zealand, and that is about as far away as you can get from our home offices. 

No, we don't have cute penguins, polar bears, Eskimos or snowmen. We consider snow somewhat warm, if not way too hot.  We do have a process that has been verified by ASM International, Illinois Institute of Technology, Purdue University, Los Alamos National Laboratories, NASA, the US Army, Johns Hopkins University, the US Postal Service, and others.

Our competitors come and go, but Controlled Thermal Processing, Inc. has over 25 years experience in the field of cryogenic processing.  That's over 25 continuous years of operation of cryogenic processing equipment.  Our president, F. J. (Rick) Diekman has over 25 years of experience in wear reduction.  He has worked on projects for General Motors, Ford, and American Motors and their suppliers.  He has taught courses in cryogenic processing for the ASM International.

Our machinery is designed by Dr. Jeffrey Levine, a well known expert in the field of cryogenics, design of cryogenic machinery, and author of articles on cryogenic processor design.

Our expert on racing, Roger Schiradelly,  has been in the racing industry for over 25 years, working on Winston Cup, Nextel Cup and other racing.  He is on a first name basis with the biggest names in the industry including drivers and team owners.

Our founder, Jim Birks, has over 25 years of experience in cryogenic processing.  His racing experience is even more thorough.  Besides qualifying for the Indianapolis 500, he is one of the original NASCAR drivers.  He raced against all the legends.  When you say "Petty " to him, he thinks about Lee Petty, and that Richard is a nice lad who shows some promise.

We have a lot of metallurgical, heat treating, corrosion resistance, plastics, and other knowledge to help you.  This is because we just didn't buy a cryogenic processing machine and declare ourselves experts.  We did our homework and learned about metals and materials.