Mechanism Of Action Of Carburizer

Mechanism of action of carburizer

The main mechanism of action of carburizer is to improve the performance of steel by increasing the carbon content in steel and changing the chemical composition of steel. Specifically, during the steelmaking or casting process, the carburizer reacts chemically with molten steel or iron to add carbon to the steel. Different carburizers have slightly different mechanisms of action, but they are mainly achieved in the following two ways:

React with oxygen elements in molten iron or steel to release carbon dioxide gas, thereby increasing the carbon content of steel:

C + O2 → CO2↑

React with silicon, manganese and other elements in molten iron or steel to form compounds such as silicates and manganates, while releasing carbon dioxide gas to further increase the carbon content of steel:

C + SiO2 → CO2↑ + SiC

C + MnO2 → CO2↑ + Mn3O4