Heating a carbon or alloy steel to the austenitizing temperature while in contact with a carbon rich atmosphere to cause absorption of carbon at the surface.

The absorption of carbon into a metal surface; may or may not be desirable.

Carburization (often referred to as carburizing) is the name of the process by which carbon is introduced into a metal. The carbon diffused into the surface is intended to make the surface harder and more abrasion resistant. Since too great a concentration of carbon makes metal brittle and unworkable, metals are also often decarburized.

The act, process, or result of carburizing.