Abstract: Cryogenic treatment is considered as a continuation of the quenching process in heat treatment, the improvement of material microstructure by cryogenic treatment process is a hot topic of research. A systematic review of the current status of research on cryogenic treatment was presented. The selection range of relevant process parameters was given.The effect of cryogenic treatment on material quality characteristics was summarized. The effect of cryogenic treatment on the microstructure was especially analysed, and the strengthening mechanism of deep cooling treatment process was derived.Based on the analysis of the existing research status, the main problems existing in deep cooling treatment and the future development trend were obtained.