Modeling of structure of double-phase low-carbon chromium steels

A physical model for determining the relative amount of phase components and the size of ferrite grains after decomposition of austenite in the process of cooling of double-phase steels is suggested. The main products of austenite transformation, i.e., polygonal ferrite, pearlite, bainite, and martensite, are considered. The driving forces of the transformation and the concentration of carbon on the phase surface are determined with the use of methods of computational thermodynamics. The model is based on equations of the classical theory of nucleation and growth. It allows for the structural features of the occurrence of γ → α transformation and contain some empirical parameters. The latter are determined using data of dilatometric measurements of the kinetics of austenite transformation and metallographic measurements of the size of ferrite grains. The model is used for predicting the kinetics of the transformation under the complex cooling conditions implemented by the VOEST-ALPINE STAHL LINZ GmbH rolling mill within the computer system for control of mechanical properties of hot-rolled strip.