Numerical Simulation of Carbon Redistribution during Steel Composite Production

During heat treatment of cladded steel composites, element redistribution may occur between the various plating materials. Depending on alloy composition and the particular time–temperature profile, Carbon (C) diffusion between the plating materials is observed. Herein, C diffusion between different layers of roll‐cladded steel composites during typical production routes is numerically simulated with the thermokinetic software package MatCalc. Two material combinations, 340LA–22MnB5 and 340LA–34MnB5, are compared with experimental results of large‐scale manufactured steel composite material at different production steps, from hot strip to hardened cold strip material. The simulation agrees qualitatively and quantitatively well with the experimental results. It is demonstrated that even short heat treatment intervals can have significant influence on the C redistribution within the steel composite. The work investigates the evolution of Carbon (C) composition in large‐scale production of steel composites. C diffusion occurs at material interfaces and results in changes in local hardness and strength. Uphill diffusion leads to C‐peaks, but can be reversed during hardening process. Numerical simulations and experimental results are in good agreement; simulations can be useful for assessing different production routes.