Case Depth
The carburizing depth indicates how deep the carbon atoms penetrate into the metal to harden it. If it penetrates too deep, the core of the part can become too hard and prone to cracking.
Physical-Chemical Mechanism of Action
The carburizing depth is the distance from the surface of a metal to a specified carbon concentration after case hardening. During the hardening process, carbon atoms react with the metal ions to form new, harder compounds.
Metallurgical Relevance & Welding Risks
A too deep carburizing depth can lead to a brittle core in the part, which is prone to cracking. This can be particularly problematic with stiff materials like martensite or tempered steel. A too low hardness in the core can impair the mechanical strength and toughness of the weld.
Workshop Practice & Action Guidelines
To achieve an optimal carburizing depth, precisely control the hardening methods. For case hardening, it is important to carefully set the temperature and time of the hardening process. For steels with high carbon content (e.g., >0.6%), a carburizing depth of at least 1 mm should be ensured. For lower carbon contents, a deeper carburizing is less critical.