Carburizing

Carburizing is a thermochemical process in metalworking in which the surface of a workpiece is enriched with carbon to improve hardness and wear resistance. This process is particularly relevant for steel components, as it specifically modifies their mechanical properties.

During the carburizing process, the workpiece is placed in an environment with carbon-rich gas, often methane or propane. Heating to high temperatures causes the carbon to diffuse into the outer layers of the steel. This diffusion causes the surface to be enriched with carbon, creating a hardenable layer.

The purpose of carburizing is to create a harder outer layer while the core of the workpiece remains tough and ductile. This improves the wear resistance and hardness of the material, which is particularly important when workpieces are exposed to high mechanical stresses such as friction and abrasion.

Carburizing is used in various industries, including the manufacture of gears, bearings, shafts and other highly stressed components. This process makes it possible to significantly improve the performance and service life of metal parts in certain applications.