CALCULATION OF SOLIDIFICATION-RELATED THERMOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES FOR STEELS

Special algorithms have been developed to calculate important solidifi cation-related thermophysical properties: enthalpy and enthalpy-relate d data (i.e., specific and latent heat), density, and thermal conducti vity for low-alloyed and stainless steels. The algorithms are heavily based on the use of earlier developed phase transformation models, an interdendritic solidification model (IDS), and an austenite decomposit ion model (ADC), which solve, as a function of temperature, the phase fractions and compositions needed in these calculations. As a result, the thermophysical properties can be calculated at any temperature, fr om 1600 degrees C to 25 degrees C, faking-into account the discontinui ties caused by special phase transformations (i.e., ferritic, austenit ic and peritectic solidification, ferrite/austenite transformation, an d austenite decomposition to various structures) influenced by the ste el grade and the cooling conditions.