need to do some case hardening on mild steel bar. any one know where I can purchase a tin ?

Edited By JasonB on 17/07/2017 14:08:47

Haven't tried it myself but here is one supplier, and another. The subject was discussed here. You should be able to use a steel tube as a "tin".

Thor

Edited By Thor on 17/07/2017 14:28:36

Clive our resident beekeeper on here advocates scraps of old leather to get the job done. I have not tried it yet but bought a huge quantity from a car boot sale a while ago ready for when I do.

Rik

I'll just touch on methodology here, because I think everyone does it slightly differently but this is how I "understand it".

Heat the part up til it reaches a dull to mid red colour.

then just bury it in the case hardening compound (whatever that you may wish to be).

leave it til cools in the compound then re do this another 2 times so that it has had 3 sittings in the powder. The caked on carbon starts to burn quite brightly on the successive coats.

On the last heating, quench in cold water when it reaches red again. Vigorously shake it in the water after plunging.

Does anyone use abrasive papers at the end, to cosmetically rid of the excessive black bits? 

Michael W

Edited By Michael-w on 17/07/2017 18:57:03

Bone dust, which used to be a bi product of button making, but seriously anything high in carbon will have some effect, I've seen sugar suggested. The bought in stuff is more reliable and easier to use

Add a bit of barium carbonate to the mix if you go "home brewed". It'll work far better that way.