Carbon Potential Calculators
The carbon calculators here provide the user the following:
- Carbon potential as a function of oxygen sensor millivolt and temperature;
- Partial pressure of O2 (mV) as a function of carbon potential and temperature;
- Temperature as a function of carbon potential and partial pressure of oxygen in millivolts;
- Carburizing time for a given depth, or depth for a given time of carburizing.
Carbon calculator Nernst calculator Thermocouple calculator
What is Carbon Potential
The carbon potential of a furnace atmosphere at a specified temperature is defined as the carbon content of pure iron that is in thermodynamic equilibrium with the atmosphere. The carbon potential of the furnace atmosphere must be greater than the carbon potential of the surface of the workpieces in order for carburizing to occur. (Stickels, 1991)
Schmidt writes that carbon potential is defined as the equilibrium carbon level in the austenite that is obtained for a given temperature and ratio of CO and CO2 gases (Schmidt, 1990).
How is Carbon Potential Created and Calculated
The carbon activity of the atmosphere or the steel can be predicted by equilibrium calculations. It is defined as the carbon content, expressed in weight per cent, that an initially pure iron specimen would have if carbon is equilibrated between the atmosphere or the alloy under consideration. In practical heat treatment it is common to apply the so-called carbon potential rather than the carbon activity (Hack, K, 2008, p 212).
References
Hack, K. (2008). Sgte Casebook: thermodynamics at work. Woodhead Pub.
Blumenthal, R. N. (1995). A Technical Presentation of the Factors Affecting the Accuracy of Carbon/Oxygen Probes. Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Carburizing and Nitriding with Atmospheres, 17–22.
Schmidt, M. L. (1990). Preoxidation Prior to Gas Carburizing: Theory and Its Effect on Pyrolwear(R) 53 Alloy. J. Heat Treating, 8(1), 5–19.
Stickels, C. A. (1991). Gas Carburizing of Steels. In ASM Handbook Vol. 4 : Heat Treating (p. 728). ASM International.