Simulation of induction tempering process of carbon steel using finite element method

Abstract

A numerical model was developed to simulate an induction tempering process, solving an electromagnetic thermal coupled problem. The temperature distribution inside an alloy steel work-piece was computed and the final hardness was predicted using Jaffe and Gordon relation. The experiments were undertaken with different induction process settings at some industrial conditions. The effects of induction parameters i.e. input AC current density, coil velocity and coil stay time were investigated by employing the proposed model and the results were compared to the experimental data. The computed results are in a good agreement with the experimental data. As an example, the model predicted the final hardness at three given points 47, 45 and 37 HRC. For this tempering condition the experimental results were 51, 45 and 36 HRC, respectively.