Physical and numerical modelling of heat treatment the precipitation-hardening complex-phase steel (CP)

The article presents the results of physical and numerical modeling of the processes of thermo- plastic treatment of an experimental complex-phase (CP) steel. Numerical tests were carried out using a commercial software program, ThermoCalc. Based on the obtained test results, the austenitization temperature was established. Physical modeling was performed using a DIL 805A/D dilatometer and the Gleeble 3800 system. The characteristic temperatures of the steel and the primary austenite grain size were determined. The test pieces were also subjected to metallographic examinations and Vickers hardness tests. The obtained results served for building an actual CCT diagram for the steel tested.