Abstract
A procedure for computer aided calculation of the distribution of microstructure and mechanical properties of steel parts is outlined. The microstructural constitution in a certain position is calculated from the local cooling rate, grain size, and chemical composition by the Creusot–Loire regression model. The variation of mechanical properties is predicted from the microstructure and cooling rate distributions and the steel composition by empirical models. In the general case, numerical methods, e.g. the finite element method, must be applied to calculate the cooling rate at different positions of steel parts having complex geometrical form. Reasonable expressions for the temperature dependency of thermal properties, i.e. heat capacity and heat conductivity, of low alloy steels have been evaluated from literature data. An approximate expression for the calculation of cooling rates for air cooling of bars of small dimensions is derived. The procedure is used to predict microstructure and hardness after hot rolling and air cooling of steel bars.
MST/1182
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