What is "mock" carburizing?

[whotmewory]

In my relocation I lost some valuable notes on heat treating shafts that I'd done. Can anyone remind me what "mock" carburizing is?

 

[Carburize]

Some people believe that it is possible to control shape change during carburizing by subjecting the material to a carburizing heat treatment cycle ( mock-carburize) immediately prior to final machining.
A typical mock carburize on a gear for example would consist of heating the gear blank to 1600 - 1700 degrees, holding for the intended carburizing time, quenching and tempering.This operation is done without any carburing atmosphere in the furnace. Following this operation the final tooth forms are cut and the part actually carburized.
Whether it works or not in terms of controlling shape change has been debated for years!

 

[whotmewory]

Ahh, like a "dry run," only without the carbonaceous additive, yes?

 

[Carburize]

Exactly!