karburálással

Karburálás is a Hungarian term referring to the process of carburizing, a heat treatment method used to increase the carbon content and surface hardness of a steel workpiece. This is achieved by heating the steel in a carbon-rich environment, causing carbon atoms to diffuse into the surface layers. The depth of carburization and the resulting hardness can be controlled by varying the temperature, time, and carbon potential of the environment.

The primary goal of carburizing is to create a hard, wear-resistant surface while maintaining a relatively soft and tough core. This is particularly useful for components subjected to significant friction or impact. The process typically involves heating the steel to a temperature above its critical point, where the crystal structure becomes more permeable to carbon diffusion. Common carbon-rich environments include solid compounds like charcoal and barium carbonate, liquid baths containing molten salts, or gaseous atmospheres such as those produced by endothermic gas generators.

After the diffusion process, the carburized steel is usually quenched and tempered. Quenching rapidly cools the steel, transforming the high-carbon surface layer into martensite, a very hard and brittle phase. Tempering then reduces this brittleness by reheating the steel to a lower temperature, allowing for controlled precipitation of carbides and relief of internal stresses. The carburized layer can then be ground or machined to achieve the final dimensions and surface finish. Applications for carburized parts are widespread, including gears, bearings, camshafts, and other components requiring high surface hardness and wear resistance.