Three-dimensional thermo-elastic–plastic finite element modeling of quenching process of plain-carbon steel in couple with phase transformation

This study focuses on finite element investigations of quenching process which is commonly applied to improve mechanical properties such as strength, hardness, and wear/fatigue resistances, etc. During the quenching process, various kinds of microstructures evolve depending on the cooling rate and temperature variation within the steel. This microstructural evolution has a significant effect on the final dimension and geometry of the mechanical parts. In order to investigate the effect of temperature variation and phase transformation on the dimensional change and stress distribution, thermo-elastic–plastic constitutive equation coupled with the mechanical strain, thermal strain, phase transformation strain, and transformation induced plasticity is described in detail. Using the constitutive equation introduced, a finite element program was developed and used to predict distributions of the temperature, volume fraction of each phase transformed, and stress and dimensional change of the cylindrical specimen, shaft with key groove, and cam-lobe made of carbon steel. It was found out that numerically obtained values such as temperature history and stress distribution were in good agreement with the data available in the literature for the cylindrical carbon steel specimen. The developed program can be used for better understanding of mechanics involved with the quenching process.