Carburizing
Carburizing is a surface hardening treatment that produces a hard, wear-resistant layer (case) on the part surface. Case depth can range from as low as 0.010", to as deep as 0.200". Surface hardness can be as high as 62 - 64 HRC.
Gas carburizing is ideal for improving the surface hardness and wear resistance of low carbon mild or low alloy steels (such as 1018, 1026, 8620, 9310).
Parts suitable for this type of surface hardening include pins, rings, gears, sprockets, worm gears, arbors, bushings, wear plates, and other components subject to wear.
Process Attributes:
- Suitable for low carbon mild or low alloy steels
- Produces a hard, wear-resistant surface
- Case depth can range from 0.010" to 0.200"
- Surface hardness can be as high as 62 - 64 HRC
- Process up to:
- 48” long (horizontal), 32" long (vertical)
- 36” diameter
- 1,500 pounds
- 48” long (horizontal), 32" long (vertical)
- Available Quench Types: oil, air blast.
Carbonitriding
Carbonitriding is a modified form of gas carburizing, suitable for plain, low carbon steels that would not achieve a uniform case hardness in standard gas carburizing.
Carbonitriding is ideal for producing a thin, high hardness case that gives the part improved wear resistance, strength, and increased resistance to softening at elevated temperatures.
Process Attributes:
- Suitable for plain, low carbon steels
- Produces a thin, high hardness case
- Improved wear resistance, and strength
- Increased resistance to softening at elevated temperatures
- Process up to:
- 48” long (horizontal), 32" long (vertical)
- 36” diameter
- 1,500 pounds
- 48” long (horizontal), 32" long (vertical)
- Available Quench Types: oil, air blast.
Thermex will meet your precise carburizing or carbonitriding specifications, or recommend the optimal process or combination of processes based on the alloy grade and intended use of the part.
Process Selection and Quality Control
For both carburizing and carbonitriding, the optimum case depth will depend on the intended service.
Thermex will meet your precise carburizing and carbonitriding specifications, or recommend the optimal process or combination of processes based on the alloy grade and intended use of the part.
Successful carburizing and carbonitriding both demand precise control of the treatment process. Thermex operates under an ISO 9001 Registered Quality Management System.
Process quality control measures include:
- Monitoring and tight control of furnace temperature, time, atmospheric composition and gas circulation. Carbon levels are precisely controlled using automatic control based oxygen probes.
- Test coupons of matching material are run with all carburizing and carbonitriding loads. Coupons can then be used for metallurgical analysis in Thermex’s in-house metallurgical laboratory. Random microhardness case depth surveys ensure that process specifications are being met. Temperature uniformity surveys of furnaces are also completed.
- View a sample Case Depth Survey here.
Contact Thermex for more information on our carburizing and carbonitriding services.
Thermex is in its 45th year of operation!
What better way to mark this milestone than with an ambitious equipment and capacity upgrade plan, which is exactly what we are up to over the next 9 months.
A new endothermic atmosphere generator has arrived at Thermex Metal Treating. This new addition is part of Thermex's commitment to the latest in atmosphere control technology.