decarb is the loss of carbon from the steel one cause can be burning it off at high temperature with

exposure to oxygen The carbon in the steel will react with both O2 and CO2 in the forge and be lost to the atmosphere. That is why you want to tune you forge to put out CO. It is typically only a "skin" phenomenon, and grinding takes the decarburized layer off with most people's shop practice. It can cause some weird things to happen if it is left on there though, in the finishing of pattern welded steels especially, but also mechanically.

Decarb is the loss of carbon from the surface from an oxidizing atmosphere. You end up with a fully ferritic structure if the carbon is completely depleted. Carburizing is the exact opposite.

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A number of steel rolling mills in India use the most economical method of using anti-decarb coatings for preventing decarburization of steel. This is achieved by applying a protective anti-decarb coating on the billets before charging them into the re-heating furnace. The protective coating acts as a barrier between oxygen and metal, thereby preventing decarburization or substantially reducing it.

Decarburization is a change in the structure and content of steel in which some of the carbon in the surface layer or layers of the steel is lost. In total decarburization, the upper layer of the steel is composed primarily of ferrite materials, while in partial decarburization, a mixture of materials may be present. Microscopy can be used to identify carbon loss, and other testing techniques are also available. In some cases, decarburization may be deliberately accomplished. In other instances, it's a byproduct of corrosion or poor handling techniques. Classically, decarburization occurs when steel is heated in an environment where oxygen is present, leading to oxidation and loss of carbon. As a result of decarburization, the metal loses some of its strength and ductility, and it may develop cracks which make it vulnerable to breaking. The surface of the steel may also become scaly. When decarburization is viewed as a defect, materials testing is used on steel to confirm that the level of carbon loss is acceptable. If it is not, the steel will not be used. Loss of carbon can make structural steel less stable, erode the performance of steel tools, and cause a variety of other problems with equipment made from steel. In some settings where it is deliberately desired, testing can also be used to determine which level of decarburization has been achieved.