Carburising can be carried out in the temperature range 850 - 1000°C using a variety of processes to produce the carbon:

a) Pack carburising uses a solid granular form of carbon such as charcoal with an activator to assist the its break down to give active carbon which can diffuse into the steel surface.

b) Salt bath carburising uses a liquid form of a carbon containing species such as sodium cyanide, potassium cyanide or calcium cyanide.

c) Gas carburising uses a gaseous atmosphere in a sealed furnace usually containing propane (C₃H₈) or butane (C₄H₁₀).
Gas carburising is the most frequently used technique. The depth to which the carbon diffuses is controlled by the surface concentration of carbon, and the temperature and time of carburising.