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Effects of Carbon and Nitrogen on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Carbonitrided Low-Carbon Steel

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Abstract

Various carbonitriding processes have been applied to low-carbon steel. The carbon and nitrogen contents in the case of carbonitrided low-carbon steels have been evaluated, and their influences on microstructure, distortion, hardness, and strength have been investigated. The factor limiting the ferrite and pearlite formations with increasing nitrogen content was a mechanism that resulted in more retained austenite in the case of low-carbon steel treated using a high flow rate of ammonia. The high-nitrogen content and high amount of retained austenite in the case of carbonitrided low-carbon steel slightly reduced the hardness, case depth, and strength. However, the elongation was improved, and the distortion was reduced. In the case zones, fractures occurred along the grain boundaries, i.e., intergranular fractures, whereas the fracture surfaces in the core regions were typical ductile fractures, i.e., dimples were observed.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the support from Dr. John T.H. Pearce (Panyapiwat Institute of Management, Thailand), Dr. Patiphan Juijerm (Kasetsart University, Thailand), the Thailand Research Fund, the Thailand Commission on Higher Education of Thailand (National Research University Project), the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), and the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC, Thailand).

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  1. Center of Materials Engineering and Performance, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Thammasat University, Klong-Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand

    Nipon Taweejun & Chaosuan Kanchanomai

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  1. Nipon Taweejun
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  2. Chaosuan Kanchanomai
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Correspondence to Chaosuan Kanchanomai.

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Taweejun, N., Kanchanomai, C. Effects of Carbon and Nitrogen on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Carbonitrided Low-Carbon Steel. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 24, 4853–4862 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-015-1757-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-015-1757-x

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