Thank you, Shortgrass. Excellent info!
Case hardening is only a few thousanth's of an inch deep from the surface. It's typically done to steels that don't have enough carbon in them to harden by heat treating. So what happens when you put it in a crucible with a bunch of carbon and elevate the temp? It draws some carbon into the surface of the steel. It can only go a little ways as it sort of "seals" itself as it does it. This carbon transfer and the heat cause the color change. And it gets harder where the carbon has been drawn in (this is the case). This helps with things such as surface wear, but below this carbon layer lies the same soft steel that was there before.
And yes if done, it's possible that warpage can and probably will occur. Mostly on thinner sections.
And yes if done, it's possible that warpage can and probably will occur. Mostly on thinner sections.
I have an older over/under shotgun that I would like to possibly case harden. Does anyone know of someone that can do this for me at a fair price?
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