The effect of changing the temperature of the vacuum carburizing process on the layer properties of steels used in the automotive industry

Abstract This study examines the effects of vacuum carburizing temperatures ranging from 960 to 1000 °C on the properties of 16MnCr5 and 20NiMoCr6-5 steels, which are frequently employed in automotive manufacturing. Utilizing ALD ModulTherm equipment, controlled chemical heat treatment was conducted, achieving carbon saturation depths of 0.5 to 0.8 mm. The investigation focuses on critical parameters such as grain size, microstructure, and microhardness profiles to elucidate how these properties are influenced by temperature variations. The results demonstrate that carburizing temperature significantly alters the mechanical properties of the steels, particularly affecting microhardness and grain structure. Higher carburizing temperatures enhance microhardness but may also lead to undesirable coarsening effects in the austenitic grain structure. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing carburizing temperatures to improve the durability and overall functionality of automotive components.