In the post published on Tuesday, we looked at the annealing treatmentfor austenitic and duplex steels. Today we want to talk about that carburizing process which, depending on the application, change the properties of components.
What is the carburizing process?
The carburizing processi is a diffusion heat-treatment that allows a mechanical component of steel with a low carbon content increases its tenor. After carburizing steel parts must also be subjected to quenching first and tempering after. The carburizing phases are the following:
- preheat the kiln until it reaches the correct temperature of heating (this is variable depending both on the characteristics of the steels and on the final properties of the piece)
- the components are placed inside the kiln and left there
- until they reach a temperature uniformity in all their parts
- when the process of carbon absorbing took place (carbon moves from the atmosphere of the kiln to the surface layers of the treated parts)
- subsequently, these undergo a sudden cooling in an oil, water or salt bath (so it is induced the martensitic transformation)
- finally, it runs a tempering at low temperature.
What are the basic parameters for this type of treatment?
To carry out the carburizing process, a controlled atmosphere carburizing plant are needed, where are regulated:
- temperature (those must be kept over at the end of hot processing)
- the duration of the piece in the kiln (predetermined period of time).
These parameters, in fact, are essential for the control of the cementation and hardness bottom.
What is the purpose of the carburizing process?
What, specifically, the purpose of the process of carburizing? Mostly, this is critical to increase the surface hardness of steel parts. So, they will be superficially resistant to wear, to shocks and seizure, maintaining inside their good toughness but a lower hardness and internal resistance. Moreover, this treatment improves the fatigue strength and mechanical stress of the piece.
What can be carburizing?
The steel pieces subjected to carburizing are often used in the mechanical and automotive industry. For example, in the motor vehicle manufacture or by machine parts those work for friction (as gears, supporting pin of axles, etc..). This type of treatment is done on fasteners such as screws, bolts, nuts and washers. Or in different types of tools such as:
- hand tools (e.g. circular saw blades, screwdrivers, etc..)
- shear tools
- others (calipers, chain links, moulds etc..).
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