Numerical and experimental simulation of mechanical and microstructural transformations in Batch annealing steels

The heating and cooling curves during batch annealing process of low carbon steel have been modeled using the finite element technique. This has allowed to predict the transient thermal profile for every point of the annealed coils, particularly for the hottest and coldest ones. Through experimental measurements, the results have been adequately validated since a good agreement has been found between experimental values and those predicted by the model. Moreover, an Avrami recrystallization model. Moreover, and Avrami recrystallization model has been coupled to this thermal balance computation. Interrupted annealing experiments have been made by measuring the recrystallized fraction on the extreme points of the coil foe different times. These data gave the possibility to validate the developed recrystallization model through a reasonably good numerical-experimental fittings. (Author) 6 refs