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COMSOL Multiphysics® 6.3 Release Highlights

Download Version 6.3
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Metal Processing Module Updates

For users of the Metal Processing Module, COMSOL Multiphysics® version 6.3 introduces a new phase transformation model, two new interfaces to simulate phase transformations during steel hardening, enhanced thermal strain and transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) strain modeling, and extended hardness computations. Read more about these updates below.

The Microstructure-Based Phase Transformation Model

A new microstructure-based phase transformation model is available for steel hardening simulations. This transformation model eliminates the need to manually specify the rate coefficient or fit the model to time–temperature-transformation (TTT) data. It builds on the existing Kirkaldy–Venugopalan phase transformation model, which is now referred to as the Kirkaldy–Venugopalan, simplified model. In the Steel Composition node, you can specify the chemical composition, Fe–C diagram, and austenite grain size before selecting the model formulation for use with the Microstructure based phase transformation model.

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The COMSOL Multiphysics UI showing the Model Builder with a Phase Transformation node highlighted, the corresponding Settings window, and a bevel gear model in the Graphics window.
Hardening of a bevel gear using the Li–Niebuhr–Meekisho–Atteridge formulation of the Microstructure based phase transformation model.

New Interfaces for Austenite Decomposition

Two new interfaces have been added to simulate phase transformations during steel hardening. The Austenite Decomposition, Kirkaldy–Venugopalan and Austenite Decomposition, Li–Niebuhr–Meekisho–Atteridge interfaces automatically configure the features necessary for the respective Kirkaldy–Venugopalan and Li–Niebuhr–Meekisho–Atteridge phase transformation model formulations.

Improvements to the Import From JMatPro®

The import functionality from JMatPro® now includes the ability to use imported phase transformation data without predetermining a specific phase transformation model. For many applications, this improves the quality of phase composition predictions.

Enhanced Thermal Strain and TRIP Strain Modeling

In version 6.3, a new Density based formulation makes it possible to base thermal strain computations on temperature-dependent densities of the different phases. This formulation provides an additional method to, for example, capture the dilatometric response of steel that has undergone a temperature change and phase transformations. Additionally, TRIP coefficients can now be computed by using the relative densities of the phases involved in a phase transformation.

The COMSOL Multiphysics UI showing the Model Builder with the Austenite Decomposition node highlighted, the corresponding Settings window, and a 1D plot in the Graphics window.
Dilatometric curves computed at different cooling rates using the Density based formulation.

Extension to Hardness Computations

The existing Hardness feature has been extended to include functionality for calculating the Rockwell C hardness (HRC) after quenching. The hardness calculation is based on the computed Vickers hardness (HV).

The COMSOL Multiphysics UI showing the Model Builder with the Hardness node highlighted, the corresponding Settings window, and bevel gear in the Graphics window.
The Rockwell C hardness (HRC) of a hardened bevel gear model is computed.

New Tutorial Models

COMSOL Multiphysics® version 6.3 brings two new tutorial models to the Metal Processing Module.

Dilatometry Curves from CCT

A 1D plot with time on the x-axis and temperature on the y-axis.
In this example, phase transformation data and phase material properties are imported from JMatPro® and used to compute continuous cooling transformation (CCT) curves. Dilatometry curves (axial thermal strain) are computed across a range of cooling rates.
Application Library Title:
dilatometry_curves_from_cct
Download from the Application Gallery

Quenching of a Bevel Gear

A 3D bevel gear model showing the phase fraction of martensite after quenching.
A 3D model of a bevel gear is used to simulate the cooling from an austenitic state. Phase material properties and phase transformation data are imported into the model. The final phase composition and the residual stress state are computed.
Application Library Title:
quenching_of_a_bevel_gear
Download from the Application Gallery

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