Sustainable carburization of low carbon steel using organic additives: A review

Abstract

Mild steel is made of iron and other elements, the chief among which is carbon. It is considered one of the most notable alloys in engineering applications because of its high tensile strength advantage and low cost. However, mild steel essentially lacks the hard surface quality which is considered key to many structural and industrial applications. This review explores various aspects of the carburization of mild steel which is targeted at providing the hard surface quality it lacks. This work critically reviews the mechanisms of different carburization methods, factors affecting carburization quality, and the potential of organic additives for carburizing low-carbon steel. Furthermore, this review article provides new insights into organic energizers and their benefits to both the handlers of carburizing operations and the environment in which they are carried out, following the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal number 12 on sustainable production and consumption. Finally, this review concludes by providing directions for future research on organic additives-based mild steel carburization.