Finite element method based simulation of stress–strain field in the quenching process

In the paper, some hypotheses for the elastic–plastic metal material in quenching process are given. According to these hypotheses, Mises yield criteria and Prandtl–Reuss flow rule, the stress–strain relationships of elastic and plastic regions in quenched material are attained. Some key technologies for finite element method (FEM) based simulation of quenching process are presented, such as FEM equations of elastic–plastic problem, the method of computing right row vector, convergence regulation, elastic–plastic ratio and initial strains in quenched material. A finite element simulation software for evaluating the stress/strain fields in quenched material is developed. A thermal elastic–plastic problem with phase-transformation and a thermal elastic problem without phase-transformation are simulated using the software. The comparisons between the simulation results and experimental/analytical results show that the simulation results are consistent with the experimental results or the analytical results.