3D Model of Carbon Diffusion during Diffusional Phase Transformations

Abstract

The microstructure plays a crucial role in determining the properties of metallic materials, in terms of both their strength and functionality in various conditions. In the context of the formation of microstructure, phase transformations that occur in materials are highly significant. These are processes during which the structure of a material undergoes changes, most commonly as a result of variations in temperature, pressure, or chemical composition. The study of phase transformations is a broad and rapidly evolving research area that encompasses both experimental investigations and modeling studies. A foundational understanding of carbon diffusion and phase transformations in materials science is essential for comprehending the behavior of materials under different conditions. This understanding forms the basis for the development and optimization of materials with desired properties. The aim of this paper is to create a three-dimensional model for carbon diffusion in the context of modeling diffusional phase transformations occurring in carbon steels. The proposed model relies on the utilization of the LBM (Lattice Boltzmann Method) and CUDA architecture. The resultant carbon diffusion model is intricately linked with a microstructure evolution model grounded in FCA (Frontal Cellular Automata). This manuscript provides a concise overview of the LBM and the FCA method. It outlines the structure of the developed three-dimensional model for carbon diffusion, details its correlation with the microstructure evolution model, and presents the developed algorithm for simulating carbon diffusion. Demonstrative examples of simulation results, illustrating the growth of the emerging phase and affected by various model parameters within particular planes of the 3D calculation domain, are also presented.