Treatment FAQ

what is carburizing heat treatment

by Nigel Torp PhD Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Carburizing is a case hardening process in which a metal part or component of low carbon content is heated in a carbon-rich gas atmosphere. The process of heating the metal component in a high carbon environment allows for diffusion of carbon atoms directly into the surface of the part that needs to be case hardened.

What is carburizing?

Carburizing Heat Treatment Increase the surface hardness and wear resistance of metal parts. Carburizing is a case hardening process in which a metal part or component of low carbon content is heated in a carbon-rich gas atmosphere.

What is a carburising furnace?

Carburizing is a heat treatment process in which iron or steel absorbs carbon while the metal is heated in the presence of a carbon-bearing material, such as charcoal or carbon monoxide. The intent is to make the metal harder. Depending on the amount of time and temperature, the affected area can vary in carbon content.

Why is high temperature used in carburization?

Mar 28, 2022 · Carburizing, also called Case Hardening is a heat treat process that produces a wear resistant surface on the part while maintain toughness and strength in the core material. Carburizing is applied to low carbon, medium carbon alloys and some higher-grade alloys such as for bearings and gears. The parts are processed in a carbon rich gas atmosphere.

What is case hardening and carburizing?

Carburising is a thermochemical process in which carbon is diffused into the surface of low carbon steels to increase the carbon content to sufficient levels so that the surface will respond to heat treatment and produce a hard, wear-resistant layer. There are three types of carburising commonly used:

image

What is carburizing used for?

Carburizing, also referred to as Case Hardening, is a heat treatment process that produces a surface which is resistant to wear, while maintaining toughness and strength of the core. This treatment is applied to low carbon steel parts after machining, as well as high alloy steel bearings, gears, and other components.

What is carburizing and how it done?

Carburising is a thermochemical process in which carbon is diffused into the surface of low carbon steels to increase the carbon content to sufficient levels so that the surface will respond to heat treatment and produce a hard, wear-resistant layer.

What are three types of carburizing?

Historically, there are three types of carburizing methods depending on the carbon source: solid carburizing, liquid carburizing, and gas carburizing. Charcoal, molten salt, and carbon-bearing gases, such as natural gas and propane, are used correspondingly.

What is the carburizing temperature?

870 to 940 °CThe carburizing furnaces are either gas fired or electrically heated. The carburizing temperature varies from 870 to 940 °C the gas atmosphere for carburizing is pro- duced from liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons such as propane, butane or methane3.Sep 25, 2009

What is carburizing and nitriding?

Nitriding and carburizing are the two most common heat treatment practices for surface hardening functional components. The main difference is that in nitriding, nitrogen atoms are made to diffuse into the surface of the parts being processed, whereas in carburizing, carbon is used.Oct 14, 2016

What are two methods of case carburizing?

Liquid carburizing involves placing parts in a bath of a molten carbon-containing material, often a metal cyanide; gas carburizing involves placing the parts in a furnace maintained with a methane-rich interior.

What is the carburizing temperature Mcq?

Explanation: Liquid carburizing is carried out in baths of molten salt containing 20-50% sodium cyanide, 40% sodium carbonate, and with varying quantities of sodium or barium chloride. The cyanide-rich mixture is heated in iron pots to a temperature of 870-950oC.

What is the difference between carburizing and carbonitriding?

The key difference between carburizing and carbonitriding is that carburizing is the process of hardening a steel surface using carbon, whereas carbonitriding is the process of hardening a steel surface using carbon and nitrogen.Apr 6, 2020

What is liquid carburizing?

Liquid carburizing is a process that is usually used for small and medium-sized parts. In the salt bath the carbon to be diffused in the workpiece comes from a molten salt that is a mixture of sodium cyanide (NaCN) and barium chloride (BaCl2).

Is carburizing the same as case hardening?

Carburizing is a case hardening process in which carbon diffuses into the surface layer of a steel part at a temperature high enough to change the steel grain structure. This change enables the steel to absorb carbon.

How does carburizing process take place?

The process of carburizing involves the use of heat, where steel or iron absorbs a liberal amount of carbon. This takes place as the metal undergoes heating with the presence of materials that contain carbon, like carbon monoxide and charcoal. The purpose of this process is to make the metal harder and manageable.Jan 14, 2018

What is the process of pack carburizing?

Pack carburizing is a process in which carbon monoxide derived from a solid compound decomposes at the metal surface into nascent carbon and carbon dioxide.Jul 6, 2013

1. Gas Carburizing

In gas carburizing, involves heating carbon steel to austenitizing temperature in the presence of a carbon-rich atmosphere. It is common to use a carrier gas, such as endothermic (“Endo”) gas along with hydrocarbon enrichment (natural gas or propane).

2. Vacuum carburizing

This carburizing process involves a low-pressure, oxygen-free environment. This process uses gaseous hydrocarbons such as methane. Since the environment is free of oxygen, the carburizing temperature can be increased without worrying about oxidation.

3. Liquid Carburizing

Liquid carburizing is a process used for case hardening steel or iron parts. The parts are held at a temperature above Ac1 in a molten salt that introduces carbon and nitrogen, or carbon alone, into the metal. Most liquid carburizing baths contain cyanide, which introduces both carbon and nitrogen into the case.

4. Solid Carburizing (Pack Carburizing)

In solid or pack carburizing is a process in which carbon monoxide derived from a solid compound decomposes at the metal surface into nascent carbon and carbon dioxide. Carburizing containers are made of carbon steel, aluminum-coated carbon steel, or iron-nickel- chromium heat-resisting alloys.

Carbonitriding

Carbonitriding is carried out on a similar section of steel, although the carbon content by mass can be 0.4-0.5%. The method is particularly suitable for hardening the surface of components that require a hardened core, such as B. gears and shafts.

CARBURIZING HEAT TREATMENT

Carburizing, also called Case Hardening is a heat treat process that produces a wear resistant surface on the part while maintain toughness and strength in the core material. Carburizing is applied to low carbon, medium carbon alloys and some higher-grade alloys such as for bearings and gears.

Controls and Simulation: Heat Treat on Demand

Source: Super Systems Carburizing. It must happen sometimes, and if your heat treat division truly understands the impact of the atmosphere, more (7.28.2021)

Heat Treat Operators: How Well Do You Understand Dry Pumps?

Source: VAC AERO International Inc. With the popularity of dry pumps in furnace operations, vacuum furnace operators need to "have a handle" on (6.14.2021)

Washing and Heat Treat: What Did You Miss?

In January 2021, Hubbard-Hall hosted a free webinar with Thomas Wingens of Wingens International and Michael Onken of SAFECHEM. These two

Changing the In-Line Heat Treating Paradigm

Evolution of ideas and transitions to more innovative and efficient methods of heat treating are common themes in this ever-changing

Bill Disler on Carburizing Trends in the Automotive Heat Treating World

Automotive part designs and heat treating processes have undergone many changes over the years, especially the powertrain. By looking back

Temperature Monitoring and Surveying Solutions for Carburizing Auto Components: AMS2750E and CQI-9 Temperature Uniformity Surveys

This is the final installment in a 4-part series by Dr. Steve Offley (“Dr. O”) on the technical challenges of monitoring low-pressure carburizing (LPC)

What is the temperature of carburising?

The process is really one of gas carburisation since the CO produced dissociates into CO 2 and carbon which diffuses into the components' surface. Temperatures are usually 790 to 845°C for times of 2 to 36 hours. Pack carburising is the least sophisticated carburising process and as a result remains a widely used method.

What is the process of carburetor?

Carburising is a thermochemical process in which carbon is diffused into the surface of low carbon steels to increase the carbon content to sufficient levels so that the surface will respond to heat treatment and produce a hard, wear-resistant layer.

Is cyanide salt toxic?

The salt is usually a c yanide-chloride-carbonate mixture and is highly toxic. The cyanide salts introduce a small amount of nitrogen into the surface which further improves its hardness. Although the fastest carburising process, it is suitable only for small batch sizes.

What is carburizing used for?

Among heat treatment techniques, carburizing is one of the most widely used for case hardening. While some heat treatments are used to soften the material or improve its machinability, most are processed to obtain strengthened or hardened properties. The majority of heat treatments apply to metallic materials and, typically, ...

What is the process of carburizing?

Carburizing is generally followed by quenching and tempering. After quenching, the outer surface becomes harder via martensitic transformation due to its higher carbon content, while the core remains relatively soft and tough. Tempering is performed to increase the toughness and ductility of the quenched part.

What is the most common source of carbon?

The most commonly used carbon-source gas is natural gas (methane, CH 4 ), while the endothermic gas is the preferred and most widely used carrier gas, which is usually produced by mixing air and natural gas in a fixed proportion, usually a 2.5-5 to 1 ratio.

What temperature is carburized steel heated to?

Slowly cooled carburised steel is heated to above Ac 3 /A cm (whichever is higher) temperature (grain size of core is refined and cementite network is dissolved and shall be eliminated), and then quenched.

What temperature is carburising gas?

Gas carburising temperature of 900-940°C, is used to obtain required case depth with a surface carbon of 0.7-0.8%. Then temperature of furnace (or parts) is decreased to 830°C to then quench in suitable quenching medium.

What is sub zero treatment?

Sub-zero treatment is often applied to hardened carburised components, specially of those alloy steels which retain large amount of austenite. This not only improves hardness and wear resistance but also gives dimensional stability to parts. Sub-zero treatment is done immediately after quenching before stabilisation of austenite occurs.

Is a carburising core coarse grained?

As the carburising temperature is much higher than the Ac 3 temperature of the core, the core is -invariably coarse-grained. Even the case here shall have coarse grains. Double-heat treatment is normally recommended in all cases.

What is carburizing steel?

Carburization is a process which involves taking a low carbon steel and transforming it into a high carbon steel. This is done by exposing it to an atmosphere which is dense in carbon. Generally, items are carburized in furnaces, vats, and other enclosed entities. By heating a steel item in a carbon-dense atmosphere, ...

What is liquid carburization?

Liquid carburization is a form of carburization which takes place in a sort of liquid vat. This vat is filled with a mixture of substances, typically including cyanide and salt.

What is case hardening?

Case hardening is a process which involves adding a hard, protective shell to the outside of an otherwise soft steel. This process allows for intricately shaped metals to possess a strength and toughness that they otherwise wouldn't be able to possess. One of the most sophisticated and common forms of case hardening is carburizing.

Why is carburized steel good?

Another major benefit of carburized steel is that it possesses a soft interior. Because it possesses a soft interior, it's easy to manipulate into different shapes. This makes it especially useful for when you're trying to manufacture intricate metal items with hard surfaces (ie. internal machine components).

How many different types of carburization are there?

There is not just one carburization process available. In fact, generally, there are four different types of carburization used. Each different process offers its own advantages and disadvantages. The four processes are as follows:

Is carburized steel cheaper than steel?

If you're buying a steel alloy simply for its surface hardness, carburized steel is easily the most affordable option. The carburization process is much cheaper than the production of certain steel alloys.

How is carburizing done?

Most carburizing is done by heating components in either a pit furnace or sealed atmosphere furnace and introducing carburizing gases at temperature. Gas carburizing allows for accurate control of both the process temperature and carburizing atmosphere (referred to as carbon potential).

What is the difference between nitriding and carburizing?

The main difference is that in nitriding, nitrogen atoms are made to diffuse into the surface of the parts being processed, whereas in carburizing, carbon is used. There are advantages and disadvantages to both processes. Nitriding is a surface hardening treatment, where nitrogen is added to the surface of steel parts either using ...

What is gas nitriding?

Gas nitriding develops a very hard case in a part at relatively low temperature, without the need for quenching. The process has the advantage of being able to penetrate blind holes, and also allows for the masking of parts to keep areas which may need further machining soft.

What temperature does nitriding take?

The parts are then exposed to active nitrogen at a carefully controlled temperature, typically in the range of 925°F to 985°F. This temperature is usually below the final tempering temperature of the steel so that nitriding does not affect the base metal mechanical properties.

What is the process of adding nitrogen to steel?

Nitriding . Nitriding is a surface hardening treatment, where nitrogen is added to the surface of steel parts either using a gaseous process where dissociated ammonia as the source or an ion or plasma process where nitrogen ions diffuse into the surface of components.

image

Overview

Carburising, carburizing (chiefly American English), or carburisation is a heat treatment process in which iron or steel absorbs carbon while the metal is heated in the presence of a carbon-bearing material, such as charcoal or carbon monoxide. The intent is to make the metal harder. Depending on the amount of time and temperature, the affected area can vary in carbon content. Longer ca…

Method

Carburization of steel involves a heat treatment of the metallic surface using a source of carbon. Carburization can be used to increase the surface hardness of low carbon steel.
Early carburization used a direct application of [(charcoal)] packed around the sample to be treated (initially referred to as case hardening), but modern techniques use carbon-bearing gases or plasmas (such as carbon dioxide or methane). The process depends primarily upon ambient g…

Hardening agents

There are different types of elements or materials that can be used to perform this process, but these mainly consist of high carbon content material. A few typical hardening agents include carbon monoxide gas (CO), sodium cyanide and barium carbonate, or hardwood charcoal. In gas carburizing, carbon is given off by propane or natural gas. In liquid carburizing, the carbon is derived from a molten salt composed mainly of sodium cyanide (NaCN) and barium chloride (Ba…

Geometrical possibilities

There are all sorts of workpieces that can be carburized, which means almost limitless possibilities for the shape of materials that can be carburized. However careful consideration should be given to materials that contain nonuniform or non-symmetric sections. Different cross sections may have different cooling rates which can cause excessive stresses in the material and result in breakage.

Workpiece material

Typically the materials that are carbonized are low-carbon and alloy steels with initial carbon content ranging from 0.2 to 0.3%. The workpiece surface must be free from contaminants, such as oil, oxides, or alkaline solutions, which prevent or impede the diffusion of carbon into the workpiece surface.

Comparing different methods

In general, pack carburizing equipment can accommodate larger workpieces than liquid or gas carburizing equipment, but liquid or gas carburizing methods are faster and lend themselves to mechanized material handling. Also the advantages of carburizing over carbonitridingare greater case depth (case depths of greater than 0.3 inch are possible), less distortion, and better impact strength. This makes it perfect for high strength and wear applications (e.g. scissors or swords)…

Choice of equipment

In general, gas carburizing is used for parts that are large. Liquid carburizing is used for small and medium parts and pack carburizing can be used for large parts and individual processing of small parts in bulk. Vacuum carburizing (low pressure carburizing or LPC) can be applied across a large spectrum of parts when used in conjunction with either oil or high pressure gas quenching (HPGQ), depending on the alloying elements within the base material.

See also

• Carbonitriding
• Case hardening
• Cementation process
• Crucible steel
• Harvey armor (also known as Harveyized steel), an early application of carburizing

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9