Tool life is one of the essential parameters in sustainable manufacturing. Strengthening the life of cutting tool is a critical aspect in minimizing manufacturing costs. Enhancement of tool life during machining can be achieved through cutting fluids, different heat treatment techniques, coatings etc. Once cutting fluids reach the end of their useful life, they are considered hazardous and non-environmentally friendly fluids. Cryogenic treatment, a sub-zero heat treatment is an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional methods, which is employed to strengthen tool life, wear resistance of cutting inserts, dimensional integrity and product quality. It is achieved through the conversion of residual austenite to martensite, carbide precipitation, eta-carbide formation, homogeneous crystal structure, improved thermal conductivity and decreased chemical degradation. The method of CT as well as the type of cutting tool have an impact on its performance. In recent years, several researches have experimented CT in order to optimize the parameters such as treatment temperature, soaking time, tempering temperature and tempering time for enhancing the performance of cutting tool. This review paper brings out the detailed study of different approaches followed in CT and their significant effect on microstructure of cutting tools. It specifically elaborates the influence of soaking time on micro-hardness, grain size, elemental composition, flank wear and tool life after CT. It has been identified as one of the most advantageous methods for cutting operations due to its ability to significantly increase tool life and surface quality through reduced tool wear via controlled CT of cutting tools at low temperatures.

刀具寿命是可持续制造的重要参数之一。延长切削刀具的使用寿命是降低制造成本的一个关键方面。通过切削液、不同的热处理技术、涂层等可以提高加工过程中的刀具寿命。一旦切削液达到其使用寿命，它们就被认为是危险的和不环保的流体。低温处理是一种低于零的热处理，是一种环境可持续的传统方法替代方案，用于提高刀具寿命、切削刀片的耐磨性、尺寸完整性和产品质量。它是通过残余奥氏体转化为马氏体、碳化物析出、η-碳化物形成、均匀的晶体结构、提高导热性并减少化学降解。CT的方法以及刀具的类型对其性能有影响。近年来，多项研究对CT进行了实验，以优化处理温度、均热时间、回火温度和回火时间等参数，以提高刀具的性能。这篇综述论文详细研究了 CT 中采用的不同方法及其对刀具微观结构的显着影响。具体阐述了均热时间对CT后显微硬度、晶粒尺寸、元素组成、后刀面磨损和刀具寿命的影响。