Determination of carbon in steel by a dynamic infrared system

Abstract

A simple, automatic apparatus has been developed for the rapid determination of carbon in steel. It is based upon the continuous measurement of carbon dioxide evolved during the high temperature combustion of steel in oxygen by using a specially designed infrared gas analyser and integration system. When this is used in conjunction with a conventional resistance-tube furnace, the speed of the determination varies from 40 to 55 seconds for mild and low alloy steels, and slightly longer for highly alloyed materials.