Plasma Carburizing of Sintered Pure Iron at Low Temperature

In this work, plasma carburizing of sintered pure iron at low temperature was investigated. Samples were carburized under a dc abnormal glow discharge in two mixed atmospheres (5%CH₄ + 95%H₂ and 20%CH₄ + 80%H₂) at 500 °C and 700 °C for 3 and 6 hours. The influence of these parameters was investigated by Scan Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (DRX), Raman spectroscopy and microhardness measurements. There is a correlation between temperature and layer morphology, and a layer of polycrystalline cementite was obtained at 500 °C and 700 °C on a ferrite substrate. Furthermore, the carburized layer thickness increased with an increase in the treatment time and the methane percentage. The topography is very dependent on the treatment temperature.

pure iron; powder metallurgy; plasma carburizing