Effects of Carburization with Palm Kernel Shell/Coconut Shell Mixture on the Tensile Properties and Case Hardness of Low Carbon Steel

Abstract

The effect of using mixtures of palm kernel shell and coconut shell as carburizers for low carbon steel at 950oC on the tensile properties and case hardness was studied. The carburizers were washed, dried, milled and sieved to 150µm particle size. They were mixed in various compositions to serve as carburizers. In each composition, 20wt% of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) was added as energizer. Tensile and hardness specimens were machined from low carbon steel. Seven tensile and seven hardness specimens were subjected to pack carburization process with different compositions of the carburizers, and thereafter quenched and tempered at 450oC for forty five minutes in a heat treatment furnace. The tensile and hardness properties show that better properties were obtained with mixtures of the carburizers compared to the use of single carburizing agent.