Vacuum Carburizing and Carbonitriding
Vacuum carburizing and carbonitriding are popular heat treating processes used in a variety of industries. They are ideal for parts that require wear resistance and durability, allowing them to be used in the automotive, aerospace, construction, and other industries. Vacuum carburizing and carbonitriding involve heating steel parts in a vacuum chamber and exposing them to a carbon or carbon-nitrogen containing medium at elevated temperatures to improve the surface wear resistance.
Vacuum carburizing is a special type of case-hardening which is typically used for low to medium carbon steel. This process involves injecting the steel part with a carbonaceous gas, such as natural gas, at high temperatures in a vacuum. This gas typically consists of hydrogen, hydrocarbons, and small amounts of nitrogen and oxygen. As the temperature is gradually increased, these gases react with the exposed steel surface, forming a carbon rich surface compound which is hard, wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant. This compound increases the surface hardness of the steel part while preserving the ductility of the core making it more durable and wear-resistant.
Carbonitriding is a similar process, but with added nitrogen instead of carbon. A carbon-nitrogen containing medium is used to provide both carbon and nitrogen during the process. Carbonitriding can be used for both low and high-carbon steels and typically results in a wear-resistant surface of medium hardness but with lower ductility than vacuum carburizing.
Both processes can be used to make parts with a wear-resistant surface. However, when deciding if you should use vacuum carburizing or carbonitriding, it is important to consider the application and the desired characteristics of the finished parts. Vacuum carburizing provides a harder, wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant surface, but with reduced ductility. Carbonitriding provides a medium hardness surface which is wear-resistant, but with less ductility than vacuum carburizing. Vacuum carburizing is better suited for applications that require a wear-resistant surface and good corrosion resistance. Carbonitriding, on the other hand, is best suited for applications that are more dynamic and require a medium hardness surface with good wear resistance.
Both vacuum carburizing and carbonitriding processes offer a number of benefits that make them attractive to many industries. These processes are relatively quick, efficient and cost-effective compared to other conventional heat treating processes. They have a low risk of part distortion and offer improved fatigue strength, wear resistance and corrosion resistance. The parts produced can also boast low-stress levels, improved strength and durability, and improved surface and wear properties.
Overall, vacuum carburizing and carbonitriding are great processes for a range of industries and applications. They offer a cost-effective way to heat treat parts and provide improved wear resistance and improved surface properties. It is important to consider the application and desired characteristics of the part it when choosing the best heat treating process for your part. Vacuum carburizing gives a hard, wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant surface, while carbonitriding offers a medium hardness surface with good wear resistance and less ductile strength.
