Application of the finite element method to predict microstructure evolution in the hot forging of steel

The objective of this study is to demonstrate the ability of a computer sim ulation of the microstructure evolution in the hot forging of C-Mn steel. T he development of the microstructure is strongly dependent on process and m aterial parameters that affect the time history of thermomechanical variabl es such as temperature, strain, and strain-rate during deformation. A model to predict the development of the microstructure has been suggested by man y researchers but has usually been applied to the hot rolling process, wher e dynamic recrystallization can be ignored due to the small deformation inv olved. In this study, the analysis program combined with a recrystallizatio n model and the rigid-thermoviscoplastic finite element method is developed in order to investigate the microstructure evolution during a hot forging process with large deformation. To show the validity and effectiveness of t he developed program, the experiment of hot upsetting is performed, the res ults of the experiment being compared with those of simulation. (C) 2000 El sevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.