Distortion and residual stresses during metal quenching process

Abstract

Quenching is a complex thermo-mechano-metallurgical problem. During the quenching process, transient heat conduction, metallic phase transformations, and plastic behaviour of the metals introduce high residual stresses and distortions. This article presents the mathematical formulation of the physics behind the quenching process, numerical techniques and optimum of cooling strategies for the selected geometries. The Finite Element Method (FEM) is used to solve the coupled partial differential equations in the framework of an isothermal-staggered approach. Coupling effects such as phase transformation enthalpy, transformation-induced plasticity and dissipation are considered. Numerical examples are presented for an L profile made up of 100Cr6 steel. © Springer Berlin Heidelberg 2008.