| A shrink fit joint can be either a separable or non-separable frictional connection depending on the material pairing and the selection of fit.
By dipping shafts, tappets, sockets, etc. into liquid nitrogen (LIN), shrink fits can be achieved that are far more cost effective than those achieved by heating the external components like gear wheels, housings, etc.
Sometimes shrink fitting is the only possibility to connect different materials, which can not be cemented, welded or soldered.
In contrast to warm joining techniques, cold shrinking provides connections that do not warp. Metallurgical effects are reliably prevented. Further processing, as is often required in welding for instance, is not required in shrink fitting.
This process is applicable for components weighing from a few grams to several tonnes. Shrink fitting ensures that different material pairings (e.g. plastic and metal) are reliably and permanently joined.
In some cases dry ice (CO2) is also used as a coolant. To provide a good heat transfer, dry ice is filled in a fluid with low freezing point i.e. alcohol, spirit or acetone. Of course the reachable shrinking-measurements are smaller in comparison of using liquid nitrogen.
With our gases and our know-how shrink fitting is a safe, fast and inexpensive process. |
