Cryogenic Material Separation is a process that exploits the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of different types of materials that make up a product. A simple example is jacketed copper wire that is clad in plastic (or other) insulating wrap. By utilizing cryogenic material separation, the contraction of frozen copper, coupled with the expansion of the bonded compound, can produce a sheer force that promotes separation of the two materials.
Precise time and temperature profiles are used to promote maximum separation. In many cases, the objective is to recover an underlying substrate or metal element that has been over-coated and/or bonded to an elastometric or insulating compound. Cryogenic material separation is ideal for thermoplastics (PVC, nylon, polyethylene, and polypropylene), thermosets (synthetic and natural rubbers etc.) and all metals.
