Simulation methods for local microstructure evolution-cooling and time–temperature transformation behavior in heat treatment of tool steels

Abstract This paper presents the development of a simulative workflow capable of predicting microstructural evolution during heat treatment processes. It represents a meaningful advance in this field by extending existing simulation models previously published by the authors. In this previous work, the software solutions MatCalc ® , MATLAB ® , and Abaqus FEA ® were coupled to calculate several local microstructural properties: the carbide content, the type, the distribution, and the chemical composition of the matrix. In addition, the model could determine the proportions of microstructural components such as martensite and retained austenite within the matrix. The hardening treatment was simplified by assuming a fast quenching, leading to complete martensitic phase transformation. However, this assumption may not be valid for larger components, leaving room for optimization. Therefore, the simulation model in this publication has been successfully extended to include local solution-state dependent time–temperature transformation behavior. In addition, an automated microstructure simulation of the entire component is now possible. As an application example, two tool geometries of different sizes were simulated with an identical furnace heat treatment. The same furnace temperature (T = 1050 °C) and the same holding time (t = 60 min) were simulated with a slow air cooling (T air = 25 °C). The austenitizing temperature and holding time were chosen to dissolve a sufficient amount of carbides during austenitization, and the slow cooling rates were chosen to form diffusion controlled phases such as bainite or pearlite. To validate the simulation model, the simulated time–temperature sequences were reproduced experimentally in a quenching dilatometer. The resulting real microstructures were compared with the simulated ones.