The loss of carbon from the surface of an iron-base alloy as the result of heating in a medium which reacts with the carbon.

Using heat to remove carbon from the surface of steel.

The loss of carbon from the surface of steel as a result of heating in a carbon weak atmosphere. During the rolling of steel hot surfaces are exposed to the decarburizing effects of oxygen in the atmosphere and as a result the surface is depleted of carbon. In steels where the components are to be subsequently heat treated it is necessary to remove the decarburized surface by machining.

The act, process, or result of decarburizing.