A coupled phase field/diffusion model for upper and lower bainitic transformation

Bainite is a steel microstructure consisting of three phases, bainitic ferrite, austenite and carbides. It forms in two different morphologies, upper and lower bainite, where different diffusion mechanisms are dominant. The aim of this work is to simulate both transformations within a unified model. To this end, we extend an own previously published model for lower bainite with diffusion across the phase interface. As a central idea we introduce weighted Helmholtz energy functions and a weighted mobility tensor, respectively. The individual Helmholtz energy functions and mobility terms are related to the different diffusion mechanisms which are responsible for the formation of both morphologies. Two representative examples illustrate the capability of the coupled phase field/diffusion model and show the expected behaviour. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.