What is cementation?

This process, called cementation, is actually a type of thermochemical process. The cementation process is also known as the carburization process. The cementation process or carburization process is one of the oldest surface hardening processes as its basic operating logic. The cementation process is a set of processes based on the principle of introducing or impregnating carbon into the surface of steel material with low carbon content in a solid, liquid or gaseous environment. After the cementation process, the material is generally subjected to oil quenching, thus hardening the cemented material. As a result, the part surface becomes hard and wear-resistant, while the core part becomes soft but tough compared to the surface. In other words, a material that is resistant to impacts is obtained. Carbon impregnation occurs following the gas-metal reaction by heating the steel piece to the austenite phase temperature in an environment containing CO. Generally, a temperature between 850 and 950°C is used to carry out this process, and this temperature is generally called cementation temperature. The cementation process is generally applied to unalloyed or low-alloy steels that contain less than 0.2% carbon in their composition. These steels are called case cementation steels and are the product obtained. Case hardening steels have many uses. Although these usage areas are very wide, to summarize briefly; It is widely used in the manufacturing of parts such as gears, shafts, piston pins, valves, chain links, sprockets, discs, rolling bearings, and some measuring and control instruments.
What are the advantages of the cementation process?

Cementation processes have many tangible and visible advantages. However, if we need to briefly look at the main advantages of the cementation process, they can be listed as follows;
Since the carbon potential is adjustable, it is a controlled process.
It has a shorter processing time.
Factors such as part shape, size or processing depth do not limit the application area.
It is a non-toxic method and allows continuous operation. https://www.aht.com.tr/