Finite element method simulation of phase transformations during cooling of 55SiMnMo steel
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to focus on numerical simulation investigations of phase transformation during cooling of 55SiMnMo steel, which is commonly applied to improve mechanical properties.
Design/methodology/approach
A mathematical model based on the finite element method (FEM) and the phase transformation kinetics model has been proposed to predict microstructure changes during continuous cooling of 55SiMnMo steel. This model can be employed to analyze the variation of austenite, special upper bainite and lump-like composite structure with cooling time at different cooling rates.
Finding
According to the continuous cooling experiments, when the cooling rate is lower than 0.1°C/s, the special upper bainite is the only transformation product which decreases with increasing cooling rate; when the cooling rate is above 0.5°C/s, the transformation products include special upper bainite and lump-like composite structure. Meanwhile, the results of continuous cooling experiment verified the correctness of this finite element model.
Originality/value
This model has a great value for proper controlling of the cooling process which can improve the quality of hollow drill steel and increase the service life of the final product.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province (E2016402111, E2016402096) and the Science and Technology Research Youth Fund of Colleges and Universities in Hebei Province (QN2015137).
Citation
Yan, T., Ma, L., Zhao, S. and Yu, E. (2017), "Finite element method simulation of phase transformations during cooling of 55SiMnMo steel", World Journal of Engineering, Vol. 14 No. 4, pp. 289-296. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJE-09-2016-0070
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited