Abstract
A computational model is presented in this article for the prediction of microstructural development during heat treating of steels and resultant room-temperature hardness. This model was applied in this study to predict the hardness distribution in end-quench bars (Jominy hardness) of heat treatable steels. It consists of a thermodynamics model for the computation of equilibria in multicomponent Fe-C-M systems, a finite element model to simulate the heat transfer induced by end quenching of Jominy bars, and a reaction kinetics model for austenite decomposition. The overall methodology used in this study was similar to the one in the original work of Kirkaldy. Significant efforts were made to reconstitute the reaction kinetics model for austenite decomposition in order to better correlate the phase transformation theory with empiricism and to allow correct phase transformation predictions under continuous cooling conditions. The present model also expanded the applicable chemical composition range. The predictions given by the present model were found to be in good agreement with experimental measurements and showed considerable improvement over the original model developed by Kirkaldy et al.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
M.V. Li, D. Niebuhr, D.G. Atteridge, and L. Meekisho: Phase Transformations during the Thermal/Mechanical Processing of Steel, E.B. Hawbolt and S. Yue, eds., CIM, Montreal, 1995, pp. 485–501.
M. Li: Ph.D. Thesis, Oregon Graduate Institute of Science and Technology, Portland, OR, 1996.
J.S. Kirkaldy and D. Venugopalan: Phase Transformations in Ferrous Alloys, D.A.R. Marder and J.I. Goldstein, eds., AIME, New York, NY, 1983, pp. 128–48.
J.L. Lee and H.K.D.H. Bhadeshia: China Steel Technical Report No. 7, China Steel Corporation, Hsiao Kang, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 1993, pp. 16–25.
J.S. Kirkaldy and E.A. Baganis: Metall. Trans. A, 1978, vol. 9A, pp. 495–501.
J.S. Kirkaldy, B.A. Thomson, and E.A. Baganis: Hardenability Concepts with Applications to Steel, D.V. Doane and J.S. Kirkaldy, eds., AIME, New York, NY, 1977, pp. 82–125.
K. Hashiguchi, J.S. Kirkaldy, T. Fukuzumi, and V. Pavaska: CALPHAD, 1984, vol. 8 (2), pp. 173–86.
A. Kroupa and J.S. Kirkaldy: J. Phase Equilibria, 1993, vol. 14 (2), pp. 150–61.
C. Wagner: Thermodynamics of Alloys, Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Reading, MA, 1952.
B. Uhrenius: Hardenability Concepts with Applications to Steel, D.V. Doane and J.S. Kirkaldy, eds., AIME, New York, NY, 1977, pp. 28–81.
F.D. Richardson: J. Iron Steel Inst., 1953, vol. 175, pp. 33–51.
M. Hillert and L.I. Staffansson: Acta Chem. Scand., 1970, vol. 24 (10), pp. 3618–26.
R.A. Grange: Met. Progr., 1961, vol. 70 (4), pp. 73–75.
The British Iron and Steel Research Association: Physical Constants of Some Commercial Steels at Elevated Temperatures, Butterworth and Co., London, 1953.
A.J. Chapman: Fundamentals of Heat Transfer, Macmillan Publishing Company, New York, NY, 1987.
S.W. Churchill and H.H.S. Chu: Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, 1975, vol. 18, pp. 1323–29.
R.J. Goldstein, E.M. Sparrow, and D.C. Jones: Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, 1973, vol. 16, pp. 1025–34.
F.P. Incropera and D.P. DeWitt: Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer, John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY, 1985.
Smithells Metals Reference Book, 7th ed., E.A. Brandes and G.B. Brook, eds., Butterworths-Heinemann, London, 1992.
A.J. Chapman: Fundamentals of Heat Transfer, Macmillan Publishing Co., New York, NY, 1987.
M.P. DeAndrés and M. Carsí: J. Mater. Sci., 1987, vol. 22, pp. 2707–16.
C. Zener: Trans. AIME, 1946, vol. 167, pp. 550–83.
M. Hillert: Jernkont. Ann., 1957, vol. 141, pp. 557–85.
Atlas of Isothermal Transformation Diagrams, 3rd ed., U.S. Steel, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA, 1963.
W. Steven and A.G. Haynes: J. Iron Steel Inst., 1956, vol. 183, pp. 349–59.
C.Y. Kung and J.J. Rayment: Metall. Trans. A, 1982, vol. 13A, pp. 328–31.
K.W. Andrews: J. Iron Steel Inst., 1969, vol. 203, pp. 721–27.
P. Maynier, J. Dollet, and P. Bastien: Hardenability Concepts with Applications to Steels, D.V. Doane and J.S. Kirkaldy, eds., AIME, New York, NY, 1978, pp. 518–44.
Atlas of Time-Temperature Diagrams for Irons and Steels, G.F. Vander Voort, ed., ASM INTERNATIONAL, Materials Park, OH, 1991.
J.S. Kirkaldy and S.E. Feldman: J. Heat Treatment, 1989, vol. 1, pp. 57–64.
J. Birtanlan, R.G. Henley, Jr., and A.L. Christenson: Trans. ASM, 1954, vol. 46, pp. 927–47.
Atlas of Isothermal Transformation Diagram, ASM, Metals Park, OH, 1977.
M. Atkin: Atlas of Continuous Cooling Transformation Diagrams for Engineering Steels, British Steel, Sheffield, England, 1977.
W.W. Cias: Phase Transformation Kinetics and Hardenability of Medium-Carbon Alloy Steels, Climax Molybdenum Company, Greenwich, CT, 1972.
W.W. Cias: Phase Transformation Kinetics of Selected Wrought Constructional Steels, Climax Molybdenum Company, Greenwich, CT, 1977.
P. Maynier, J. Dollet, and P. Bastien: Hardenability Concepts with Applications to Steels, D.V. Doane and J.S. Kirkaldy, eds., AIME, New York, NY, 1978, pp. 163–76.
J.B. Austin and R.L. Rickett: Trans. AIME, 1939, vol. 135, pp. 396–415.
J.S. Kirkaldy: Scand. J. Metall., 1991, vol. 20, pp. 50–61.
J.W. Cahn: Acta Metall., 1956, vol. 4, pp. 449–59.
W.A. Johnson and R.F. Mehl: Trans. AIME, 1939, vol. 135, pp. 416–42.
M. Avrami: J. Chem. Phys., 1939, vol. 7, pp. 1103–12.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Li, M.V., Niebuhr, D.V., Meekisho, L.L. et al. A computational model for the prediction of steel hardenability. Metall Mater Trans B 29, 661–672 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-998-0101-3
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-998-0101-3