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Carburizing increases strength and wear resistance by diffusing carbon into the surface of the steel creating a case while retaining a substantially lesser hardness in the core. This treatment is applied to low carbon steels after machining.
Strong and very hard-surface parts of intricate and complex shapes can be made of relatively lower cost materials that are readily machined or formed prior to heat treatment.
Most carburizing is done by heating components in either a pit furnace, or sealed atmosphere furnace, and introducing carburizing gases at temperature. Gas carburizing allows for accurate control of both the process temperature and carburizing atmosphere (carbon potential). Carburizing is a time/temperature process; the carburizing atmosphere is introduced into the furnace for the required time to ensure the correct depth of case. The carbon potential of the gas can be lowered to permit diffusion, avoiding excess carbon in the surface layer.
After carburizing, the work is either slow cooled for later quench hardening, or quenched directly into oil. Quench selection is made to achieve the optimum properties with acceptable levels of dimensional change. Hot oil quenching may be used for minimal distortion, but may be limited in application by the strength requirements for the product. Alternatively, bearing races may be press quenched to maintain their dimensional tolerances, minimizing the need for excessive post heat treatment grinding. In some cases, product is tempered, then cryogenically processed to convert retained austenite to martensite, and then retempered.
Metlab has the ability to carburize and harden gears and other components that are small enough to be held in one's hand, up to 14' in diameter and 16' tall, weighing as much as 50,000 pounds. Shallow cases only 0.002 - 0.005", and deep cases, up to 0.350" have been specified and readily achieved.
The press quench located in the facility allows for the dimensional control, therefore precise hardening of gears and bearings up to 16" in diameter.
Maximum Load Sizes
