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Carburization facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Computerised Heat Treatment Furnance
A modern computerized gas carburising furnace

Carburization (often also called carburizing) is the process by which carbon is introduced into a metal.

One does it to make the surface harder and more abrasion resistant. But because too great a concentration of carbon makes metal brittle and unworkable, metals are also often decarburized. Depending on the amount of time and temperature, the affected area can vary in carbon content. In earlier times, one used a direct application of charcoal packed onto the metal for carburization, but modern techniques use carbon-bearing gases or plasma's (such as carbon dioxide or methane). Carburization is mainly used to harden the surface of low alloy steel.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Carburizado para niños

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Carburization Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.