• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.113-123
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• 2016

In the present work, we investigated the effects of the carbon potential on the formation of carbide at the carburized surface and anti-pitting fatigue strength in the supercarburized steels. Two low carbon steels with different Cr concentrations were adopted and the repeated supercarburizing treatment carried out with the different carbon potential conditions. The microstructure and carbides at the supercarburized surface were observed by using optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. The microhardness test was performed and the hardness distribution and the effective case depth at the supercarburized surface were discussed. The roller pitting fatigue test was carried out and the fatigue strength was evaluated with different the carbon potential conditions. The microstructure of the fatigue specimen surface was observed by means of scanning electron microscope and scanning transmission electron microscope. Depending on the chemical composition of the steels and the carbon potential condition, the resistance of temper softening and pitting failure was influenced due to the carbide distribution and the formation of coarse network carbide. Thus, it was confirmed that the control of the carbide formation is a key factor to improve the anti-pitting fatigue strength in the supercarburized steels.