Evaluation of microstructure-based transformation plasticity models from experiments on 100C6 steel

The main characteristics of quasi-isothermal diffusive transformation from austenite to pearlite in a 100C6 steel have been determined from experimental tests. The parameters of constitutive laws and kinetics of phase transformation of different micromechanical models of phase transformation could then be identified. The models are classified according to the prevailing assumptions: mean- or full-field approach, regular or heterogeneous microstructural morphology, macro-homogeneous constitutive laws or crystal plasticity. A comparative analysis in terms of transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) is performed in order to conclude on the relevance of the different models as regards experiments and to show how the principal assumptions of TRIP modelling can affect the predictions.

Research highlightsAnalytical and numerical modelling of plasticity induced by phase transformation. Classification according to constitutive behaviour, microstructure and kinetics. Polycrystal-to-polycrystal transformation accounting for intragranular interactions. Cross-comparison of modelling and experimental measures of transformation plasticity. Numerical modelling proves its potential but requires local kinetics information.