The FEM simulation and experiment of quenching distortion of a U-shape sample and the sensitivity analysis of material properties

Abstract

Heat treatment is a standard post-forming process for parts. This work investigates simulating heat treatment process of two steel components and compares this to the equivalent experimental treated parts. Firstly, considering the influence of phase transformation and transformation plasticity, a Finite Element Method (FEM) model based on a U-shape sample is employed to simulate the quenching process. Additionally, the equivalent quenching deformation experiment of U-shape samples of two steel were done for verifying the calculation model. Finally, the sensitivity analyses of the material properties (including transformation related material parameters) on the distortion during the quenching processes are performed. Research results shows that the numerical simulation results of the quenching distortion of U-shape samples were in good agreement with the experimental results. The phase transformation related parameters, especially for transformation plasticity coefficient, are very important on the calculation on quenching distortion, and the phase transformation temperature and quenching temperature are the most sensitive input parameter on the calculation of quenching distortion for 0Cr13Ni4Mo and 316 steels, respectively. In summary, the accurate determination of the material parameters is very important to achieve accurate deformation prediction.