Kolsterize

Kolsterizing is a form, color and dimensionally stable surface hardening process for austenitic , rustproof stainless steels .

Austenitic, rust-free stainless steels have excellent corrosion resistance to water and various chemicals under atmospheric conditions . However, their wear resistance and hardness are poor and they cannot be hardened using conventional heat treatment processes; Processes such as B. Gas nitriding and carburizing improve the wear behavior, but reduce the corrosion resistance of these steels through the formation of chromium carbide or chromium nitride.

Kolsterizing is a way of hardening austenitic, stainless steel without changing the corrosion resistance. The hardening takes place by means of a diffusion process at low temperature (<500 ° C), with large amounts of carbon being diffused in. The carbon is dissolved in interstitial spaces and therefore does not form any carbides . Due to the large amounts of carbon that has diffused in, compressive stresses occur in the surface, which cause very high surface hardness. The hardness value that can be achieved in this way depends on the alloy composition and can be between 900 and 1300 HV 0.05.

Web links

• Kolsterising website of the brand owner Bodycote International