An optimized hardness model for carburizing-quenching of low carbon alloy steel

Research has been conducted about the hardness prediction for the carburizing and quenching process based on an optimized hardness simulation model,in accordance with the calculation rule of mixed phases.The coupling field model incorporates carburizing field analysis,temperature field analysis,phase transformation kinetics analysis and a modified hardness calculation model.In determination of the calculation model for hardness,calculation equations are given to be applied to low carbon content(x(C)<0.5%) for the child phases and the martensite hardness is calculated for high carbon content(x(C)>0.5%) in alloy.Then,the complete carburizing-quenching hardness calculation model is built,and the hardness simulation data are corrected considering the influence of residual austenite(RA) on hardness.Hardness simulations of the carburizing and quenching process of 17CrNiMo6 samples have been performed using DEFORM-HT_V10.2 and MATLAB R2013 a.Finally,a series of comparisons of simulation results and measured values show a good agreement between them,which validates the accuracy of the proposed mathematical model.

Computer Predictions and Experimental Verification of Residual Stresses and Distortion in Carburizing-Quenching of Steel

In this paper, the carburizing-quenching process of carbon steel is analyzed with computer simulation which is based on the metallo-thermo-mechanical theory and finite element analysis coupled temperature, phase transformation and stress/strain fields. The residual stresses and distortion of a steel cylinder during carburizing quenching process were predicted and compared with experimental data. From the prediction results, improvement of hardness and strength of the cylinder component in carburizing-quenching process was verified.

Prediction and Minimization of the Heat Treatment Induced Distortion in 8620H Steel Gear:Simulation and Experimental Verification

The considerable heat treatment induced runout value in the end face of the automobile main reducer gear is always dimensionally out of tolerance.It directly affects the dimensional accuracy,the grade of carburized and hardened gears,and the post-quenching manufacturing costs.In this study,three dimensional numerical models were developed to simulate the carburizing-quenching process of gear based on the multi-field coupling theory using DEFORM software.The results indicated that the ununiform cooling rate of the gear caused by the asymmetry of the web structure would result in the ununiform distribution of martensite,leading to the large runout value at the end face of the gear.Therefore,a novel method was proposed to minimize the heat treatment induced runout value.It was found that the heat treatment induced runout value could be effectively controlled by the addition of a compensation ring and the support of a rod structure.Further experiments showed that the average runout value of the gear end face before and after the proposed heat treatment method were about 0.023 mm and 0.059 mm respectively,which was in good agreement with the simulated results.The novel approach proposed in this study led to a reduction of the gear runout value by 70.0%‒76.9%compared to that of the original heat treatment process,which may serve as a practical and economical way to predict and minimize the heat treatment induced distortion in drive gear.