Prediction of temperature variations and kinetics of austenite phase change on the run-out table

In this paper, a mathematical model has been developed to determine temperature distribution on the run-out table. The variational formulation and the finite element method have been employed to solve the governing conduction–convection equation. In order to avoid numerical instabilities due to the convection term, the heat transfer equation is first transformed to the standard form and then Raylieght–Ritz approximation technique and the finite element method have been utilized to solve the equation. To include the effect of phase transformation during cooling of steel, a second-order rate equation for describing austenite decomposition kinetics is coupled with the heat transfer model. A comparison is made between simulated and experimental cooling curves of a low carbon steel to verify the reliability of predicted results.