Vacuum Carburizing
Vacuum carburizing (also known as low-pressure carburizing or LPC) is an advanced case-hardening process carried out under vacuum using a hydrocarbon gas — typically acetylene — as the carbon source. The absence of oxygen prevents intergranular oxidation (IGO), a common defect in atmosphere carburizing, resulting in a metallurgically superior case with enhanced fatigue performance. Oil quenching following vacuum carburizing delivers the high surface hardness and deep case required for heavy-duty drivetrain and power transmission components.
Our process advantage
Our vacuum carburizing with oil quenching process combines the clean, IGO-free case of low-pressure carburizing with the through-hardening power of oil quench — delivering superior case quality and core hardness compared to conventional atmosphere carburizing. This makes it the preferred choice for gears, shafts, and bearing races in high-performance and safety-critical applications.
Why choose Vacuum Carburizing?
No intergranular oxidation
Vacuum atmosphere eliminates IGO for a metallurgically cleaner case
Superior fatigue life
IGO-free case significantly improves contact and bending fatigue performance
Oil quench hardness
High surface and core hardness for heavy-load drivetrain components
Clean surface finish
No scaling or discolouration on carburized surfaces
Process specifications
| Process type | Low-pressure carburizing (LPC) under vacuum |
| Carbon source gas | Acetylene (C₂H₂) |
| Quench medium | Oil quench |
| Key advantage | Zero intergranular oxidation (IGO) |
- Case-hardening steels
- Low-carbon alloy grades
- compatible alloys
Industries served
- Automobile
- Defence
- Oil & Gas
- General Engineering
Our gas nitriding facility handles components across a wide range of sizes and geometries. Whether you need case depths for light-duty wear applications or deeper diffusion layers for heavy-load conditions, we tailor process parameters to your exact material and performance requirements. Consult our team to discuss your specific component needs.