Carburizing is a thermochemical case hardening process that enriches the surface of low-carbon steel with carbon. After quenching, the carbon-rich surface transforms into high-hardness martensite, while the lower-carbon core remains tougher and more crack-resistant.
This combination of a hard case and a tough core is valuable for components exposed to rolling, sliding, or pitting contact.
Surface carbon level, case depth, prior grain size, and quench response all affect the part’s final durability.
At Braddock, carburizing would be selected when the design requires a deep wear-resistant case without sacrificing core toughness in the center of the component.
Carburizing is common on heavily loaded steel components subjected to surface contact stress.
Carburizing is commonly performed in roughly the 1550°F to 1750°F range in an atmosphere with controlled carbon potential. During the soak, carbon diffuses inward from the surface, producing a composition gradient that later becomes a hardness gradient after quenching.
After carburizing, parts are quenched and then tempered. Final properties depend on case carbon level, effective case depth, prior core microstructure, quench severity, and temper response.
Excessive retained austenite, intergranular oxidation, or excessive carbide networks can reduce performance if not controlled.
Braddock would monitor carbon potential, time at temperature, quench practice, and post-quench tempering to achieve the specified effective case depth and surface hardness.
