Abstract: A process for decarburizing ferrous metals and in particular electrical steels such as motor and transformer laminations wherein metal articles are treated at temperature under a furnace atmosphere generated by injecting N.sub.2 --CO.sub.2 --H.sub.2 mixtures or N.sub.2 -methanol-CO.sub.2 mixtures into the furnace.

Abstract: A process for carburizing ferrous metal articles in a furnace under an atmosphere derived from an input of nitrogen and ethanol injected into the furnace during the entire cycle. Carburization is controlled in a first embodiment by the control of ethanol and nitrogen mixture and water vapor content of the mixture as well as total flow through the furnace and in a second embodiment by controlling the nitrogen-ethanol mixture to which is added water and an enriching or carburizing agent.

Abstract: A process for carburizing steel in a furnace under an atmosphere derived from the decomposition of an oxygenated hydrocarbon containing up to three carbon atoms, no more than one carbon to carbon bond, and a carbon to oxygen ratio of from 1 to 2 such as alcohols, aldehydes, ethers, esters and mixtures thereof. The oxygenated hydrocarbon injected into the furnace produces an atmosphere under which an initial rapid stage of carburization takes place. After the initial rapid stage of carburization gaseous nitrogen is blended into the oxygenated hydrocarbon atmosphere throughout the remainder of the process with a concurrent reduction in the rate of injection of oxygenated hydrocarbon while maintaining volumetric flow through the furnace during the entire carburizing cycle. During the entire carburizing cycle, the carbon potential of the furnace atmosphere can be controlled by addition of a hydrocarbon gas enriching or carburizing agent.