Influence of the carburization time on the structural and mechanical properties of XC20 steel

Abstract

This study focuses on the effect of carburization time on the structural and mechanical properties of low carbon XC20 mild steel (C. Wt.% <0.25). The XC20 steel was carburized with activated carbon with a carbon potential Cp1 = 1.1%, at 910 °C at different carburization times of 2, 4 and 6 h. The results obtained show that XC20 steel (non-carburized) has a ferrite-pearlitic structure with a hardness and a Young’s modulus of the order of (150 HV, 26 KN/mm2). After carburization, the structure of the carburized layer is transformed in martensite (Fe γ) in which cementite (Fe3C) is imbricated. The depth of the carburized layer and the amount of carbon on the surface gradually increase with increasing carburization time. In addition, the carburized XC20 steel becomes hard and brittle where the hardness and Young’s modulus have been increased for a high holding time until reaching maximum values ​​(845 HV, 48 KN mm−2) after 6 h of carburization . However, the toughness of XC20 steel has been reduced from 163 to 40 J cm−2.

Effect of carburizing time treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of low alloy gear steels

“…The thickness increased from approximately 1166 μm to more than 1576 μm, as shown in figure 3. These results align with the findings reported by Abdenour et al and Chen et al [38,40].…”

“…These results indicate a significant increase of over 450% in the carbon content with longer holding time during the carburization process. These findings are consistent with the results reported in the literature [37,38]. The observed increase in carbon content can be attributed to the diffusion of carbon, influenced by both the rate of absorption and the duration of carburization.…”

“…Impact tests conducted on low alloy gear steels subjected to gas carburization treatment revealed an inverse relationship between resilience and holding time. As the duration of carburization increased from 4 to 8 h, the resilience of the samples decreased from 180 J cm −2 in the as-received state to 10.83 J cm −2 (carburized for 4 h), 8.43 J cm −2 (carburized for 6 h), and 6.66 J cm −2 (carburized for 8 h), and the results are displayed in figure These findings are consistent with the research conducted by Saoudi et al and Hesham et al [38,46].…”

Hybrid and electric vehicle tribology: a review

“…Bulat et al were able to model and analyze the displacement loads and the stress and strain fields arising in the rubber-based shock absorber and demonstrate the intensity of these loads on the damage and wear of these components [193]. It was comprehensively rendered by Saoudi et al the importance of the selection of suitable materials for the applications like a shock absorber to inherently withstand the vibration, in turn, fatigue load [194]. It can also be noted that the selection of optimum material makes half the work done in making the component withstand fluctuating loads arising from vibrations.…”

Effect of Carburizing Temperature and Post Carburizing Treatments on Microhardness and Microstructural Evolution of Carburized Low-Carbon Steel

“…The main parameters influencing pack carburizing process and the following heat treatments are the carburizing temperature, the carburizing time, the quenching media, and the tempering temperature [6-10]. Several studies have been carried out with the aim of understanding the effect of these parameters on the mechanical properties and the microstructural characteristics of carburized steel [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]; however, there is still ongoing research in this area because controlling all these parameters is a complex and sensitive issue. The aim of this study is to keep track of the changes in microhardness, carbon content, case depth, and microstructure of low-carbon steel when it is carburized at two different temperatures.…”