Thermochemical Characterization of Horns and Hooves for Carbonitriding Treatment

Abstract Horns and hooves are abattoir wastes that have not been fully used and that are sometimes disposed of indiscriminately because of a limited understanding of their thermochemical properties. However, ancient blacksmiths intuitively rub animal horns on hot forging steels in anticipation of better performance. This study therefore conducts a thermochemical characterization of horns and hooves of selected animals, namely cows, sheep, and goats, for a better understanding of their thermochemical properties. A chemical analysis of horns and hooves was conducted using both a scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy for quantitative and qualitative analyses of the elements present, respectively. X-ray diffraction was carried out to determine the molecular phases present. The thermal behavior of samples was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. All the samples analyzed confirmed the presence of carbon and nitrogen in significant quantities. Again, the results of thermal characterization showed cow hooves as the most thermally stable, whereas goat horns and hooves were the least thermally stable at an elevated temperature. The study therefore reinforces the potential of the horns and hooves for carbonitriding treatment of steels and consequently absolves these wastes from underutilization and indiscriminate dumping in the environment.