Carbonization is a thermal decomposition process that converts organic materials into carbon rich substances. The process takes place under an oxygen-free atmosphere to prevent samples from burning. Instead, at high temperatures volatiles escape the matrix and carbon atoms rearrange themselves to form small carbon layers within the structure.

While both carbonization and pyrolysis are processes that involve the thermal decomposition of materials in the absence of oxygen, they are different in their objectives. Carbonization typically occurs at a higher temperature than pyrolysis and is intended for increasing the carbon content in the material. Pyrolysis occurs for both organic and/or carbon-free inorganic compounds and produces volatiles, liquids, gases and char.

Carbonization is used by several industries such as in metallurgical, chemical, agriculture, energy, environmental, construction and in material science. Each industrial application makes use of properties that arise due to the interaction of carbon-carbon bonds, making carbon-rich materials versatile in their use in producing a range of products.

Carbolite offers two streams of furnaces that can be used for carbonization. Tube furnaces are ideal for laboratory heat treatments with a temperature range of 1100 °C up to 1800 °C. Graphite furnaces, in comparison, suit laboratory and industrial applications for extreme heat treatment requirements with operating temperatures that go as high as 2200 °C and 3000 °C.