Hello T.

The idea is to soak the parts you want to colour case harden in an rich Carbon Dioxide gas. Heating previously prepared carbonised items such as wood, bone, leather, horn and hoof material will provide such a carbon rich gas.

Using unprepared or none carbonised components in the crucible, will upon heating, produce a great many different gasses, some of these may be beneficial to the CC hardening process, BUT, some will not.

Perhaps it's best to go with the traditional methods of CC Hardening.

Having said that, as the Bard said, 'You pays your money and takes your chances'

If you want to experiment, by all means do so.

Harry

Biology is the only science where multiplication can be achieved by division.