Simulation of quenching involved in induction hardening including mechanical effects

We investigate the mathematical model for induction hardening of steel and present simulation results for the involved cooling process. The model accounts for the thermomechanical effects coupled with phase transitions that are caused by the enormous changes in temperature during the heat treatment. The mechanical part of the quenching model includes the transformation strain and transformation plasticity induced by the phase transitions (TRIP). The simulations have been performed by assuming a non-homogeneous pre-heated workpiece with an austenite profile generated via high-frequency inductive heating. The mathematical ingredients of the model are presented and the main simulation results are reported for the case of a gearing component made of steel 42CrMo4.