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In our final IH Rx Podcast, Dan Herring and I covered some readers' questions about carburizing. We transcribed and edited that podcast into a two-part article, which is seen here and will continue in the September issue.
RM: Thanks for joining me today, Dan. Let's jump right in and answer some of our readers' questions about carburizing. I have a number of questions here from our podcast listeners and readers, so let's get started with number one.
Q: What is the best way to measure carbon potential in an atmosphere furnace?
DH: Well, I know that the de-facto standard for measuring carbon potential is to use an oxygen probe, or what we call a carbon probe. They have become such an integral part of our atmosphere carburizing processes. I think of carbon probes like I do thermocouples - a necessity in an atmosphere furnace.
In addition to oxygen probes, I know that people are supporting oxygen probes by using three-gas analyzers, especially to establish the CO level in the furnace to help assist the control factors of the oxygen probes. Also, people are using more shim stock than ever before. That's a technology that was used back in the day and lost popularity for a few years, but it is now back in favor. People are even supporting oxygen probes by using dew-point analyzers. These technologies have become so reliable that they are an entire system of measuring carbon potential.
Q: What about vacuum furnaces? Can you use shim stock in these furnaces?
A: I have actually seen a design for a vacuum shim puller, but no one is...