Computer simulation of the precipitate evolution during industrial heat treatment of complex alloys

Precipitates are the key ingredient for the strength of heat treatable alloys. To optimize the mechanical properties of alloys it is important to know the response of precipitates to thermo-mechanical treatments. In the past, application of computer models to describe the evolution of precipitates in the course of these processes has proven difficult due to the complexity of the problem. In this work, a new model based on a mean-field representation of precipitates in a multicomponent matrix is applied to heat treatments of steels. Example simulations are presented for a 9-12% Cr ferritic/martensitic heat resistant steel for power plant application and a complex tool steel with both carbides and intermetallic phases using the software MatCalc. The predictions of the model are verified on experimental results and the potential application to industrial heat treatment simulation is discussed.