The effect of carbonate energizer on pack carburizing ASTM A36 steel

Pack carburizing process of carbon steel, energizer plays an important role in the changes in surface hardness, carburized layer and microstructure of carbon steel. A study has been conducted on changes in surface hardness and microstructure of ASTM A36 low carbon steel due to the pack carburizing process with variations of energizer. The pack carburizing treatment process was carried out at a temperature of 900 ℃ and soaking time of 2 hours. The carburizing media was a mixture of charcoal powder and energizer with a ratio of 70: 30 weight percentage, with heating carried out in an electric furnace. The energizer used was carbonate energizer in the form of CaCO3, BaCO3, and Na2CO3. The results of the study surface hardness, microstructure and thickness of carburized layer of ASTM A36 steel specimen after pack carburizing treatment are influenced by energizer. The use of CaCO3 energizer has the greatest impact on increasing surface hardness, microstructure and thickness of carburized layer of ASTM A36 steel specimen, which was pack carburized.