DrummerJim50
Member
- :
- 2006 Acura RSX Type S
CRYOGENIC treatment of brake rotors
I have been looking at getting some new rotors and have been trying to find the best rotors available. After looking around, I heard of cryogenically treating brake rotors (deep freezing them to -300 F). I've heard and read a lot of good things about this process (although, I haven't heard anything bad or about any drawbacks at all - there has to be some?). Some companies will treat cross-drilled rotors while others won't, and most don't seem to have a problem with slotted rotors. I have seen a few threads that mention cryogenics but not one that specifically talks about it, so I figured this would be a good one to start.
People say that this treatment doesn't make the metal harder, but rather tougher (I was a skeptic of this until someone explained it to me). This means the coefficient of friction between the rotor and pad will not be effected. This website gives a brief overview of cryogenic treatment: http://www.efunda.com/processes/heat_treat/matl_modify/cryogenic.cfm. For those who don't know, quenching is the cooling that takes place after heating (during heat treatment). It talks about austentite and martensite, which are essentially (for purposes of this discussion) microscopic "grains" in the metal. Austentite is an unstable discountinuity in the material that causes separation in the metal. Martensite is the stable "normal" form of the metal.
Here are the largest/most reputable companies I have found:
Diversified Cryogenics (www.frozenrotors.com) - $56 per rotor. I've heard good things about this company although the price seems insane compared to other companies. The "extras" - slotting ($45/rotor), cadmium plating ($35/rotor with a minimum of 4 rotors) are insanely priced.
OneCryo (www.onecryo.com) - $25 per rotor. Seems like a reputable company although I can't get anyone to reply to my emails about their process and such. Bad customer service isn't impressive - I'd rather pay more to get excellent service.
300Below (www.300below.com) - about $75 for all 4 rotors ($1.50 per pound). Claim to be the largest and oldest and cryogenics company in the nation. Their website shows and talks about their process and machine. I'm most impressed with this company, without even considering that they have the lowest price.
So here are my questions -
Who has had their rotors cryogenically treated and what has been your experience with them? Any drawbacks that you can tell?
Has anyone had problems with their treated cross-drilled rotors? (Please don't turn this discussion into one about whether drilling is good or bad.)
What company did you use and what was your experience with them?
Any other insights on this topic?
I have been looking at getting some new rotors and have been trying to find the best rotors available. After looking around, I heard of cryogenically treating brake rotors (deep freezing them to -300 F). I've heard and read a lot of good things about this process (although, I haven't heard anything bad or about any drawbacks at all - there has to be some?). Some companies will treat cross-drilled rotors while others won't, and most don't seem to have a problem with slotted rotors. I have seen a few threads that mention cryogenics but not one that specifically talks about it, so I figured this would be a good one to start.
People say that this treatment doesn't make the metal harder, but rather tougher (I was a skeptic of this until someone explained it to me). This means the coefficient of friction between the rotor and pad will not be effected. This website gives a brief overview of cryogenic treatment: http://www.efunda.com/processes/heat_treat/matl_modify/cryogenic.cfm. For those who don't know, quenching is the cooling that takes place after heating (during heat treatment). It talks about austentite and martensite, which are essentially (for purposes of this discussion) microscopic "grains" in the metal. Austentite is an unstable discountinuity in the material that causes separation in the metal. Martensite is the stable "normal" form of the metal.
Here are the largest/most reputable companies I have found:
Diversified Cryogenics (www.frozenrotors.com) - $56 per rotor. I've heard good things about this company although the price seems insane compared to other companies. The "extras" - slotting ($45/rotor), cadmium plating ($35/rotor with a minimum of 4 rotors) are insanely priced.
OneCryo (www.onecryo.com) - $25 per rotor. Seems like a reputable company although I can't get anyone to reply to my emails about their process and such. Bad customer service isn't impressive - I'd rather pay more to get excellent service.
300Below (www.300below.com) - about $75 for all 4 rotors ($1.50 per pound). Claim to be the largest and oldest and cryogenics company in the nation. Their website shows and talks about their process and machine. I'm most impressed with this company, without even considering that they have the lowest price.
So here are my questions -
Who has had their rotors cryogenically treated and what has been your experience with them? Any drawbacks that you can tell?
Has anyone had problems with their treated cross-drilled rotors? (Please don't turn this discussion into one about whether drilling is good or bad.)
What company did you use and what was your experience with them?
Any other insights on this topic?
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