Evaluation of the Effects of Charcoal Particle Sizes on Carburized Low Carbon Steel

• Chibuzor A. OKAFOR

  Mechanical Engineering Department, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

  Author

• Bello ABDULKAREEM

  Mechanical Engineering Department, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

  Author

• Najeem A. YEKEEN

  Mechanical Engineering Department, Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Nigeria

  Author

• Blessing A. OSULOYE

  Mechanical Engineering Department, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

  Author

• Yakubu O. HASSAN

  Mechanical Engineering Department, Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Nigeria

  Author

• Musa J. MAIKATO

  Mechanical Engineering Department, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

  Author

This research investigates how charcoal particle size affects the carburization of mild steel. A total of 32 low-carbon steel specimens (0.219% carbon content) were carburized using charcoal particles of varying sizes: 0.5 mm, 2 mm, 5 mm, and 10 mm. The charcoal used contained 63% fixed carbon. Carburization was carried out at 900°C for 120 minutes in the presence of an energizer, followed by quenching in water. The carburized samples were then subjected to tensile, hardness, and metallographic tests. Results indicate that the specimen treated with 0.5 mm charcoal specimen achieved the highest ultimate tensile strength 956.77 MPa which is 59% higher than the control sample. In contrast, the 10 mm charcoal specimen exhibited the highest hardness (85.23 HRA, 45.4% higher than the control) and modulus of elasticity (205.34 GPa, 2.7% higher). Metallographic analysis revealed that these samples developed a martensitic case with a bainitic core, indicating improved surface hardness and strength due to the larger particle size of charcoal used in the carburizing process.

• FJET_12_14_7

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