Key technologies of FEM simulation for phase transformation

Abstract

In order to accurately evaluate the phase transformation volume fraction and hardness of quenching using the finite element method (FEM), some key technologies are given. Using these key technologies, FEM software has been developed for simulating phase transformation. The end‐quenching of P20 steel was performed and FEM software was used to simulate it. Comparison of experimental results and FEM simulation results shows that the FEM results are consistent with the experimental results, and that the FEM software is reliable and accurate. FEM simulation results show that the latent heat of phase transformation has an important effect on the phase transformation volume fraction and cooling speed of quenching.

Keywords:

• Quenching
• Finite element method
• Phase transformation

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (50875154), the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University of Ministry of Education of China (IRT931), the Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China (200801408), and the Independent Innovation Foundation of Shandong University (2010TS035).