By using modern process controllers it is possible to optimize a gas carburizing furnace such that ideal carbon profiles can be achieved in less time compared to traditional controllers.

Poorly carburized parts can have devastating consequences. Part hardness and case depth are critical to numerous tooling, automotive and aerospace systems. While diffusion is a well-understood science, the assumptions made in atmosphere carburizing are substantial and can have major impacts on part performance. By understanding the tools used and their limitations, heat treaters can ensure better parts.

In response to these energy-conservation endeavors, it has been suggested that equipping gas-fired furnaces with sensor and control systems that optimize the fuel-to-air ratio could lead to dramatic energy savings. Such control systems are said to save substantial fuel over uncontrolled furnaces.