Cryogenic cooling: an overview

Almost 10 years after the introduction of cryogenic machining, a lot of research has been conducted on this technology, its application and pros and cons. However, despite the positive results, the step to the industry does not seem to be so obvious.

In 2011, cryogenic machining was introduced at the EMO trade fair in Hanover. Emulsion was replaced by liquid nitrogen at temperatures of around -190 °C. The considerable cooling capacity was definitely a big advantage when machining heat-resistant materials, for example, where temperatures can reach 1,000 °C. These high temperatures have a heavy impact on tool wear. In the meantime, a lot of research has been carried out on the potential advantages and disadvantages of cryogenic machining.