carburize

[ kahr-buh-rahyz, -byuh- ]

verb (used with object)

, car·bu·rized, car·bu·riz·ing.

1. to cause to unite with carbon.
2. to carburet.

carburize

/ ˈkɑːbjʊˌraɪz; -bə- /

verb

1. another word for carbonize carbonize
2. tr to increase the carbon content of (the surface of a low-carbon steel) so that the surface can be hardened by heat treatment

Derived Forms

• ˌcarburiˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• carbu·ri·zation noun
• carbu·rizer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of carburize¹

First recorded in 1880–90; carbur(et) + -ize

Example Sentences

Bessemer's next difficulty was to carburize his pure iron, and thus to make it into steel.

From Project Gutenberg