On Wed, 23 Jun 2004 09:18:38 -0400, Kamus of Kadizhar
wrote:

I've got a purely hypothetical question:

ISTR that at one time, freezing locks with Freon was a popular way to
break them. The theory being that you freeze the lock mechanism or
shackle until it becomes brittle, then use a hardened hammer to smash it.

Now I'm being told that's an urban myth.

I come here seeking expertise on frozen metal - is it practical / possible
to freeze steel to where it becomes brittle using a can of Freon? The
technique was to use Freon under pressure, then "spray" it on the lock.
The Freon cools as it expands, freezing the metal.

Not with Freon. Urban Myth - if the metal is that weak, they'd only
need the hammer and hit it two or three times.

Now if you have some Liquid Nitrogen in your back pocket (in a
stainless Thermos, naturally...) you might get a lock cold enough to
shatter, but that stuff is hard for the average criminal to get.

-- Bruce --
--
Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
Spamtrapped address: Remove the python and the invalid, and use a net.