| 摘要 |
A thermal process for treating a material to improve its structural characteristics comprising placing the material within a thermal control apparatus and performing at least on thermal cycle which includes introducing a cryogenic material under controlled conditions into the thermal control apparatus to decrease the temperature of the material while preventing over-stressing of the metal to a first target temperature ranging from about -40<SUP>o</SUP>F. and to about 380<SUP>o</SUP>F. at a first temperature rate ranging from about 0.25 degrees per minute to about 20 degrees per minute, stopping the introduction of the cryogenic material once the first target temperature is reached, increasing the chamber temperature to a second target temperature ranging from about 0<SUP>o</SUP>F. to about 1400<SUP>o</SUP>F., and increasing the temperature of the material to the second target temperature at a second temperature rate ranging from about 0.25 degrees per minute to about 20 degrees per minute, resulting in a treated material without fractures. The material may be a metal, a carbide, a device used in drilling, mining, and earth moving equipment or a diamond material. |
