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Effect of Carburization Time and Carburization Temperature on Carburization of Mild Steel Using Carbon Nanotubes Obtained from a Horizontal CVD Reactor

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Abstract:

This study investigates the effectiveness of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in enhancing the surface hardness of mild steel through carburization. CNTs were synthesized via chemical vapor deposition at 700°C using iron nitrate and cobalt nitrate as precursors on CaCO₃ support. Acetylene was used as the carbon source and nitrogen as the inert gas. The as-synthesized CNTs were purified using a one-step nitric acid treatment. Characterization by SEM, TGA, and FTIR revealed CNT diameters of 42-52 nm and improved thermal stability after purification, with TGA showing mass losses of 78% for as-synthesized CNTs and 85% for purified CNTs. Low carbon steel (AISI 1018) samples were carburized with as-synthesized and purified CNTs at austenitic temperatures of 750°C and 800°C for period ranging from 10 to 50 minutes. The carburizing process involved heating at 10°C/minute, followed by a defined number of boost and diffusion steps. Surface hardness was evaluated using a Vickers FM 700 micro-hardness tester, and microstructure was checked with an Olympus SC50 optical microscope. Results show that the use of purified CNTs in the carburization displayed the highest surface hardness of 191.64 ± 4.16 GPa at 800°C for 50 minutes, representing a 32% increase over the untreated substrate (145.188 ± 2.66 GPa). As-synthesized CNTs yielded a hardness value of 177.88 ± 2.35 GPa under the same conditions. At 750°C, the percentage increase in hardness for as-synthesized CNTs and purified CNTs were 10.04% and 15.77%, respectively, compared to the untreated substrate. Higher carburization temperature and longer treatment time consistently increased the surface hardness. The use of purified CNTs resulted in an increase of 6.37% hardness when compared to that of the as-synthesized CNTs at 750°C. Microstructural changes in the steel samples confirmed improved surface hardness with both purified and unpurified CNTs, with purified CNTs showing superior performance. This study therefore provides a platform for the use of CNTs for enhancing surface hardness of steel for various industrial applications requiring enhanced mechanical properties and wear resistance in low carbon steels.

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Periodical:

Key Engineering Materials (Volume 1012)

Pages:

89-98

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4028/p-3oirkM

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Online since:

May 2025

Authors:

Ajoke Sherifat Hassan, Ayo Samuel Afolabi, Michael Olawale Daramola*

Keywords:

Carbon Nanotubes, Carburization, Hardness, Microhardness, Mild Steel, Wear Resistance

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© 2025 Trans Tech Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved

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