HÄRTHA: Low Pressure Carburising (LPC)

Also known as vacuum carburising, Low Pressure Carburising (LPC) is an advanced process for the heat treatment of steel. It is used to increase the surface hardness of steel parts by enriching the surface with carbon at low pressure. The low pressure carburising process works by placing the steel part in a special chamber before heating the part to a high temperature, typically between 800°C and 1,000°C. After that, a carbon-containing gas is introduced into the chamber, and the pressure is reduced. This provides for an effective diffusion of carbon into the steel surface. When carburising is complete, the part is quickly cooled down, usually by quenching in oil or gas in order to create a hard and wear-resistant layer. Low pressure carburising is especially suitable for the treatment of high alloy steels and is commonly used in such industries as automotive engineering, mechanical engineering, and aerospace. It offers excellent control over the carburisation depth and the properties of the hard