Carburisation is the process of high-temperature diffusion saturation of the surface layer of a steel product with atomic carbon in order to harden the surface and increase wear resistance.
As a rule, carburisation is carried out at temperatures above the Ас3 point, when austenite is stable and carbon is able to dissolve in it in large quantities. After carburisation, the product is hardened and tempered, as a result of which it acquires the required properties.
Alloy and low-carbon steels are subjected to carburisation, since the latter are practically not strengthened by hardening. The thickness of the carburized layer is usually 0.5...1.8 mm.
Carburisation is carried out in a solid (based on charcoal) or gas (based on carbon monoxide or methane) carburizer, in a fluidized bed, electrolyte solutions or pastes.
Carburisation is used to improve the mechanical properties of the surface of gears, pins, shafts, axles, levers, worms and other parts.
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