A study on austenite decomposition during continuous cooling of a low carbon steel

In this work, a model based on the finite element method and assumption of second order phase transformation has been developed to predict temperature history and austenite decomposition kinetics during continuous cooling of a low carbon steel. In order to accurately assess the temperature field and transformation rate the effects of various factors such as work hardening role on the kinetics of transformation, interconnection between austenite phase change and thermo-physical properties of the steel, and initial austenite grain size have been considered in the model. To verify the results of the modelling, time-temperature histories during cooling of a low carbon steel has been determined and microstructural studies have been performed. The comparison between the predictions and the experimental results indicates reliability of the proposed model.