Surface engineering technologies – Carburizing surface hardening treatment
Surface engineering technologies have been used for decades in a variety of industries including automotive, aerospace, medical, and military. These technologies have allowed these industries to become more efficient and productive by providing higher quality products, faster manufacturing processes, and improved durability. One of these technologies is carburizing surface hardening, or CCH.
Carburizing surface hardening is a process in which surface hardness is increased by adding carbon to the surface of a metallic material. The process is used to improve surface wear resistance, fatigue strength and corrosion resistance. Carburizing can be done either by adding carbon to the surface of the material or by immersing the material in a bath of molten carbon. In either case, the material becomes harder as the added carbon diffuses into the base material.
The carburizing process is highly temperature dependent, and is used primarily on steel parts. First, the steel part is heated in a furnace to a temperature higher than its critical temperature, which causes the steel to become very soft. Then, the carbonaceous material is added to the surface of the part and allowed to diffuse into the surface. This diffusion takes time and the amount of time needed for a specific material depends on the type of carbonaceous material used, the surface area of the part, and the temperature of the furnace. The process can add significant strength and wear resistance to the surface of the part.
One common application of carburizing is the hardening of tools and dies. The carburizing process allows tools and dies to retain a sharp working edge even after many uses. This is because the added carbon strengthens the surface of the tool or die, making it more resistant to wear and tear. Additionally, because the carburizing process causes a large increase in surface hardness, tools and dies can be created with smaller size tolerances, which allows for greater accuracy in machining operations.
Carburizing is also used in the formation of casing and tanks. The application of the carburizing process to these structures provides additional strength and corrosion resistance. In addition, the process of carburizing can be used to create custom-sized parts. This is done by forming a hollow section in the desired size, then heating and carburizing the part to its required hardness.
Aside from use in the industrial production and machining processes, carburizing is also used in the manufacturing of jewelry. Carburizing is used to create pieces of jewelry that are stronger and more durable. The process of carburizing adds an extra layer of protection to the jewelry by strengthening the surface, thus making it less prone to damage or breakage.
Carburizing is a versatile and effective surface engineering technology that has been used in many different industries. It is capable of providing strength and corrosion resistance, as well as custom-machining of parts. Carburizing is effective and reliable, and it is a useful technology that can be used in a variety of applications.
