Carburising of steel AISI 1010 by using a cathode arc plasma process

The properties and processes of cathode arc plasma carburizing were studied in this paper. Graphite with high purity and high strength was selected as the cathode arc source to provide carbon atoms. The carbon steel AISI 1010 was used as the substrate. A surface concentration of 1.05 wt.%C and a carburised layer thickness of 780 gm was obtained at 950 degreesC in 30 min. The diffusion coefficient of carbon atoms in carburizing layer was estimated by using the Matano-Plane method. The exponential relationship of diffusion coefficient and the distance to surface are determined. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.