Non-cyanide salt bath and process for carburization of ferrous metals and alloys
AssigneeHeatbath Corporation
InventorsWilliam C. Jones, Kenneth R. Britt, Isaac L. Newell
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Abstract
A non-cyanide molten salt bath composition and process for the carburization of objects made of ferrous metals or alloys are provided. The composition comprises a molten salt mixture, at a temperature in the range of 900.degree. C. to 1050.degree. C., of an alkali metal chloride or a mixture of alkali metal chlorides; an activator consisting of an oxygen containing strontium or barium salt; and a graphite cover. The process comprises immersing the ferrous metal or alloy part in the molten mixture at a temperature in the range of 900.degree. C. to 1050.degree. C.
Claims6
A process for carburizing ferrous metal objects consisting essentially of the following process steps:
- (a) mixing a composition comprising about 85-99% alkali metal chloride or a mixture of alkali metal chlorides;
- 0.25-8% of an activator, an oxygen containing compound selected from the group consisting of barium and strontium;
- and sufficient amount of, finely divided graphite to provide a continuous cover over the molten salt mixture;
- (b) melting and heating the mixture to a temperature in the range of about 900.degree. C.-1050.degree. C.;
- (c) maintaining the temperature for about 1 hour;
- (d) immersing said ferrous metal objects in the bath for a period of time to achieve the desired degree of carburization.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.