Shrink fitting uses liquid nitrogen to reduce the dimensions of a component by thermal contraction, allowing tight tolerance or interference-fit parts to be assembled without mechanical force. Bishop Pipe Freezing uses its own purpose-built, fully insulated vessels for all shrink fitting work. These are self-manufactured to our own specification, saving energy, increasing safety and reducing the time needed to carry out each job.
Creates an extremely strong, reliable interference fit with 360-degree contact
High frictional force on cooling produces excellent torque transmission
No fasteners, bolts, pins or adhesives required
No risk of surface scoring or damage as with press-fitting
High precision and repeatability, controlled by temperature and material expansion coefficients
Can be stronger and more reliable than press-fit or keyed joints
Our bespoke vessels enable shrink fitting of objects ranging from a few grams to 11 tonnes.
We also carry out shrink removal, using the same cryogenic process to contract components so they can be extracted without mechanical force. This avoids surface damage and is especially valuable in high-tolerance engineering environments.
From a few grams to 11 tonnes — get in touch to discuss your requirements.