A procedural and technical experimental review on material tensile and impact properties under cryogenic temperatures

Abstract

In this paper, research and comparison of tensile and impact properties were conducted on several materials broadly categorized as Steel and Alloys at cryogenic temperature of 77 K or -196°C. Tensile and impact properties exhibit an inverse relationship due to the nature of metals, where if a material has high strength, its ductility will decrease, and if it has high ductility, its strength will decrease. Generally, cryogenic treatment will result in periodic strength enhancement of materials, but a significant reduction in ductility occurs when the temperature surpasses the ductile to brittle transition temperature (DBTT). However, some materials can be processed to achieve desired property advantages, such as high toughness, high ductility, or a balanced combination of ductility and toughness without significant reduction in either property.