Numerical Simulation of the Phase Transformations in Steels: A Case Study on Newly-Developed Multi-Phase Steels for Drop Forgings

The aim of the work was to determine the diagrams of phase evolution under equilibrium conditions and numerical simulation of austenite phase transformations under non-equilibrium conditions, as well as to determine CCT (Continuous Cooling Transformation) and TTT (Temperature Time Transformation) diagrams with the use of JMatPro software. The subject of the analysis were two newly elaborated multiphase steels assigned for production of forgings: steel A, containing of 0.165% C, 2% Mn, 1.11% Si and steel B, containing 0.175% C, 1,87% Mn, 1% Si, 0.22% Mo and Ti and V microadditions at a concentration of 0.031% and 0.022%, respectively. The performed simulation revealed that the investigated steels have similar critical temperatures under equilibrium conditions: A_c1 ~ 680°C, A_c3 ~ 830°C. The chemical composition of steel B and the interaction of Mo, Ti and V in particular, determine that diffusion transformations, i.e. ferritic and pearlitic, in the elaborated CCT and TTT diagrams are significantly shifted to longer times in relation to the position of these transformations in the diagrams for steel A. A distinct delay also concerns the bainitic transformation. Moreover, it was found that the M_S temperature of steel B is slightly lower. The determined CCT and TTT diagrams are essentially helpful in the development of heat and thermo-mechanical treatment conditions for new steel grades.