Simulation of steel microstructure evolution during induction heating

An effective model and approach have been developed and validated to simulate the microstructure evolution and composition variation during induction heating. The basic method is described, and the validation and application are addressed in the paper. In this model, a real initial microstructure is used as an input to simulate austenitization, and the intrinsic chemical difference is utilized to describe the ferrite and pearlite phases. A set of temperature curves is applied to the corresponding locations in an induction heating part and the dynamic variation in microstructure, grain size and carbon content is revealed through modeling. The shift of the start temperature of austenite formation (Ac1) is taken into account and the correlation between Ac1 and the heating rate is presented. This model is being used in industrial practice to optimize existing processes and support new process development.