基于模拟的热处理工艺设计:使淬火工艺与钢种和产品几何形状相匹配

Using Simulation for Heat Treatment Process Design: Matching Quenching Process with Steel Grade and Product Geometry

钢铁零件的性能主要决定于所采用的热处理工艺。钢的淬透性决定于合金元素含量,而淬火烈度确定了整个零件中不同部位的温度随时间变化过程。总的来说,零件最终的组织、力学性能、残余应力状态和服役性能均取决于钢的淬透性和淬火工艺。残余应力状态,特别是表面应力状态,是影响零件疲劳寿命的重要因素,可通过控制钢的淬透性和淬火工艺来提高零件的表面压应力,从而提高疲劳寿命。热处理工艺的计算机模拟,包括加热和冷却过程中的相变的计算,提供了一种科学地进行热处理工艺设计、钢种选择以优化某一特定产品性能的方法。本文采用热处理模拟软件DANTE来论证这种设计方法在正齿轮上的应用。

The performance of steel parts is heavily dependent on the heat treatment process applied. The alloy content of the steel establishes the steel hardenability. The severity of the quenching establishes the local temperature history throughout the body of the part. In combination, the steel hardenability and the quenching process determine the final microstructure, mechanical properties, residual stress state and the performance of the part. The residual stress state, especially the surface stress state, is a significant factor in affecting fatigue life of the part. The steel hardenability and quenching practice can be adjusted to enhance residual surface compression and improve the fatigue life of a component. Computer simulation of the heat treatment process that includes calculation of the metallurgical phase transformations during the heating and cooling processes offers a method for scientifically designing the heat treatment process and selecting the steel alloy to optimise the performance of a particular product. In this paper, the DANTE heat treatment simulation software will be used to demonstrate this design methodology for a spur gear.