Case Hardening of Mild Steel Using Animal Bone, Charcoal and Sea Shells as Carburizers

Abstract

Samples of Mild steel were treated in carburizing media which included animal bone, wood charcoal and sea shells at varied temperatures. Micro structural analyses, chemical composition tests, and mechanical properties tests were carried out on the carburized samples. Results indicated that the treated samples could be used in local production of some engineering components such as gears in place of imported components where hardness is considered together with toughness. The case hardening of the mild steel with charcoal granules gave the highest carburization of 0.905% on the surface with the highest hardness value of 69.3 HRA.