Progress and Issues in Thermomechanical Simulation: Experience in Tata Steel (Europe)

05 Aug 2011

Andy Howe, Sally Parker, Roger Beaverstock; Tata Steel RD&T Swinden Technology Centre, United Kingdom

Willem-Maarten van Haaften; Tata Steel RD&T IJmuiden Technology Centre, The Netherlands
Despite a long history of computer and laboratory simulation of thermomechanical processing of steel, this remains a very active area of research. Partly this is due to new steels such as AHSS posing new questions regarding material behaviour and its interaction with processing, and partly through more demanding extensions to processing capability. However, much of this work is to satisfy the increasing needs for accuracy in standard production.    Tata Steel Europe employs a suite of computational and experimental techniques for simulation, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, of which a brief discussion is given. Moreover, the validation of such techniques is described, comparing computer models with laboratory tests, pilot mill rolling and plant data for plate and strip products. Highlighted areas of current development for superior predictive capability are: extensions of alloy chemistry, recrystallisation behaviour at low strains, onset of precipitation pinning, grain size variation through the thickness and distribution around the average size at a given position, alternative modelling techniques, and robust, user-friendly interfaces for use by production personnel.

Paper presented at Thermec 2011, Quebec, Canada, August 1-5, 2011