Not everyone has heard of the term carbonitriding, but it plays an important role in the production of steel. In fact, a carbonitriding furnace provides a lot of benefits to many companies today. Here is more about this type of furnace and why it is so important.
Carburizing
Carbonitriding is a process that adds carbon and nitrogen to steel. Since carbonitriding is a form of gas carburizing, it first makes sense to talk about what carburizing is and how it serves the steel industry today. Carburizing (case hardening) is used to add carbon to steel, and this may be done with more than one process. For example, carburizing can be achieved with gas, liquids (cyaniding), or solid carburizing methods.
In the process of turning iron to steel, it becomes austenite. Austenite is an iron solution with carbon and other alloys. As the austenite cools, carbon is trapped within, and it becomes a hard form of steel called martensite. This is the process of carburizing.
Gas Carburizing
To carburize metals, they are placed in a furnace with a gas like propane or methane, along with other gasses. Once the right temperature is reached, the propane or methane turns into hydrogen and carbon. This lets the carbon diffuse into the metal. Afterward, the metal is quenched for proper cooling. Quenching can be done in oil, water, chemicals, or with gas.
Liquid Carburizing
This process is also known as cyaniding because cyanide is used in the method. Iron is placed in a salt bath at high temperatures. This mixture of salt and cyanide is extremely toxic and must be done under strictly controlled circumstances. The solution also places some nitrogen into the iron, essentially making it a form of carbonitriding. Although it is a rapid process it is usually reserved for smaller operations, and, of course, there are environmental and safety issues to consider.
Carbonitriding
Instead of ammonia or methane, carbonitriding utilizes ammonia. Ammonia is introduced into the oven chamber, and as it adds carbon, nitrogen is also included. Usually, carbonitriding requires lower heat temperatures than gas carburizing.
Benefits of Carbonitriding
Adding nitrogen and carbon to steel makes it more resistant to fatigue and wear. It also gives it excellent impact resistance. You will see this kind of steel used in parts like gears and shafts. It is especially important for the automotive industry as many bearings, cams, and clutch plates are made from this form of metal. Carbonitriding is also used in the tool and die industry.
ECM USA provides carbonitriding furnace and quenching capabilities, to customers in the US, UK, and Europe. We also are there with total turnkey solutions for heat treatment. To find out more about our products and services, come to our home on the World Wide Web at website today.
