Effect of rare earths on the carburization of steel

The effects of rare earths (RE) on the carburization of steel are examined with four 0.2%C steels doped and undoped with RE. Clearly, both RE in carburizer and RE in steel may accelerate the carburizing process. RE in carburizer is more effective at enhancing carburization than RE in steel. The mechanism for this enhancement of carburization is that the RE oxide enhances the medium-sample interface reaction during carburizing.