Wear Characteristics Of Carburised Mild Steel

ABSTRACT The growing concern about excessive wear of most plain carbon steel in applications involving friction continued to receive quality attention. In this study the wear characteristics of carburized mild steel is carried out with a view to establish the suitability or otherwise of the processing method at combating the menace of wear in engineering components made from mild steel. The study methodology involves pack carburization of specially prepared mild steel specimens under a finely pulverised charcoal environment at 7500C 8000C 8500C 9000C and 9500C. This is followed by tempering at 5000C for 30mins after which the specimens are tested for hardness wear and flexural properties respectively. The results show significant improvement in all the properties evaluated. Thus carburisation can be used to enhance the wear resistance of mild steel comparable to that achievable through conventional hardening process.