The gas and petrochemical sector are among the biggest users of raw carbon steel products, making millions of miles of carbon steel pipework and pressure vessels for non-vital uses. Low-carbon steel is an appealing possibility for those kinds of uses because of its good weldability for formation into complex, rounded shapes, and its capacity for case hardening.

Case hardening, or carburization, is a treatment method that promotes carbon migration to the exterior of the steel product. This safeguards the tough and ductile inner core while creating a high-hardness crust on the exterior of the vessel or pipe to protect against a range of weathering elements.