Measurement and Modelling of Diffusional Transformation of Austenite in C-Mn Steels

• Main Authors: Yeong-Tsuen Pan, 潘永村
• Other Authors: K.C. Hsieh
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2001
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/81006177441697957948

博士 === 國立中山大學 === 材料科學研究所 === 89 === The diffusional transformation kinetics of C-Mn steels during continuous cooling have been measured and predicted in this study for predicting the non-isothermal multi-stage cooling transformation kinetics. A suitable thermodynamic model is assessed for determining the driving force of austenite to ferrite transformation and the austenite/ferrite interface concentrations under various equilibrium constraints, which are essential to determine the diffusion-controlled transformation kinetics. The continuous cooling transformation (CCT) curves of C-Mn steels are determined using dilatometric method. Pham’s empirical growth model is found most suitable for describing the start and finish transformation curve. The Avrami equation, common-used for isothermal transformation, is found to be applicable to the continuous cooling transformation. The Avrami exponents, nF and nP, for ferrite- and pearlite- dominant CCT, respectively, are close to the isothermal ones reported in the literature. The Avrami constant, b, increases with decreasing austenitizing temperature, indicating a fast progress of transformation. Combining Pham’s empirical growth model with Avrami equation, the CCT kinetics of C-Mn steels can be predicated well. The examination on the microstructural evolution during CCT suggests that the transformation of austenite to grain boundary allotriomorphs of ferrite (GBAF) can be divided into (1) nucleation and growth (NG) stage, (2) growth only (site saturation, SS) stage, and (3) coalescence stage. In the NG stage, the oblate ellipsoid aspect ratio of GBAF remains 3:1 until all the nucleation sites are exhausted., i.e. the onset of SS stage, then gradually decreases in the SS stage. Once the aspect ratio approaches unity, the coalescence starts to operate. Based on this observation, a physical base model is developed for predicting the austenite to GBAF CCT. This model possesses the capability to predict the start and finish transformation temperatures, the fraction transformed, and the final ferrite grain size. Although such model failed to predict the whole range of CCT curve due to the fact that only the GBAF transformation is included at present stage, it is still highly recommended for microstructural control. In order to completely predict the whole CCT curves, a semi-empirical physical base model is adopted. In addition, the methodology to predict multi-stage cooling transformation from CCT curves is also derived based on additivity rule and the concept of ideal TTT diagram. Associated with the additivity rule and the concept of ideal TTT diagram, such empirical model is validated to be applicable for the prediction of CCT and step wise cooling transformation. The latent heat is calculated using thermodynamic software for the accurate control of cooling history of the medium carbon steels which usually releases an abundance of latent heat. Associated with the semi-empirical transformation model, the calculation of latent heat is integrated into a heat transfer model and successfully implemented in a mill operation.