Surface Modification Design: Carburizing With Atmospheres

Atmosphere carburizing remains one of the most important surface treatment technologies throughout the world. In this paper, various important metallurgical design variables are identified by examining the results of the carburisation of 15HN steel. These results showed the importance of the formation of martensite-retained austenite-carbide microstructure after hardening. Increasing austenization temperature causes a decrease in the carbide fraction and an increase in the fraction of retained austenite. By optimisation of the composition of these microstructures through variation of carburisation process, hardening, and tempering variables, it is possible to optimise compressive stresses, abrasive wear resistance, and contact fatigue resistance.