Mathematical research of the phase transformation kinetics of alloyed steel

Abstract

Regulation of the process parameters allows obtaining the desired properties of the metal. Computer simulation of technological processes with allowance for structural and phase transformations of the metal forms the basis for the proper choice of those parameters. Methods of mathematical modeling are used to study the main diffusion and diffusion-free processes of transformations in alloyed steels during heating and cooling. A comparative analysis of the kinetic equations of phase transformations including the Kolmogorov – Avrami and Austin – Rickett equations which describe in different ways the time dependence of the diffusion transformation rate and attained degree of transformation has been carried out. It is shown that the Austin – Rickett equation is equivalent to the Kolmogorov – Avrami equation with a smooth decrease of the Avrami exponent during the transformation process. The advantages of the Kolmogorov – Avrami equation in modeling the kinetics of ferrite-pearlite and bainite transformations and validity of this equation for modeling the kinetics of martensite transformations during tempering are shown. The parameters for describing the tempering process of steel 35 at different temperatures are determined. The proposed model is compared with equations based on the Hollomon – Jaffe parameter. The diagrams of martensitic transformation of alloyed steels and disadvantages of the Koistinen – Marburger equation used to describe them are analyzed. The equations of the temperature dependence of the transformation degree, similar to the Kolmogorov – Avrami and Austin – Rickett equations, are derived. The equations contain the minimum set of the parameters that can be found from published data. An iterative algorithm for determining parameters of the equations is developed, providing the minimum standard deviation of the constructed dependence from the initial experimental data. The dependence of the accuracy of approximation on the temperature of the onset of transformation is presented. The complex character of the martensitic transformation development for some steels is revealed. The advantage of using equations of the Austin – Rickett type when constructing models from a limited amount of experimental data is shown. The results obtained make it possible to extend the approaches used in modeling diffusion processes of austenite decomposition to description of the processes of formation and decomposition of martensite in alloyed steels.