Carburizing and Carbonitriding

Utilize the power of our atmospheric ovens to case harden your steel

Carburizing, also known as case hardening, is a heat treatment process that significantly improves the performance of metal parts by creating a hard, wear-resistant surface while maintaining a tough, ductile core. This process is particularly beneficial for low-carbon steel components that would otherwise be too soft for demanding applications.

Carbonitriding is a similar heat treatment process that improves the surface hardness and wear resistance of steel by diffusing both carbon and nitrogen into its surface. It’s essentially a modified version of carburizing that introduces nitrogen, typically from ammonia gas, along with carbon. This process is used to give an even harder surface than carburizing if your specifications dictate for it.

Key Benefits of Carburizing

Increased Hardness and Wear Resistance: The primary benefit of carburizing is the creation of an extremely hard “case” or outer layer. This makes the metal highly resistant to wear, abrasion, and surface damage from friction.This is why carburizing is a common process for parts like gears, bearings, and axles that are subject to constant contact and sliding.
Improved Load-Bearing Capacity: Carburizing increases the ability of a metal part to withstand high forces without deforming. The hard surface prevents plastic deformation under heavy loads, which is crucial for components in engines and transmissions that must endure immense torsional forces.

Enhanced Fatigue Strength: Components that undergo repeated stress and cyclic loading, such as drive shafts and camshafts, are susceptible to fatigue failure. The compressive stresses created on the surface during the carburizing process help to delay the initiation and propagation of cracks, significantly extending the part’s lifespan.
Optimized Core Ductility: While the surface is hard and durable, the inner core of the metal remains tough and flexible. This dual-property outcome is a major advantage, as the soft core can absorb shocks and impacts without cracking, which a completely

Carburizing and Carbonitriding are most often used on low-carbon steels to give them a hard, durable outer layer, or “case,” while the core remains soft and tough. This combination of properties makes carbonitrided parts highly resistant to friction and fatigue. The most commonly used steel materials for carburizing or carbonitriding are: 1018 , 8620, 1214,1018, A36, mild steels, and low carbon steels

Metals Engineering