MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF HEAT FLOW AND AUSTENITE-PEARLITE TRANSFORMATION IN EUTECTOID CARBON STEEL RODS FOR WIRE.

A mathematical model incorporating both heat transfer and the transformation of austenite to pearlite in eutectoid carbon steel rods has been developed. A computer program based on the implicit finite-difference technique has been written which permits the temperature distribution and fraction of austenite transformed to be predicted as a function of cooling conditions, rod diameter and the transformation characteristics of the steel. The program takes into account the temperature-dependent heat transfer and thermophysical properties, and stresses the importance of the enthalpy of transformation. The model has been checked for internal consistency with theoretical equations, and model predictions have been compared to published industrial data for rod cooling in water at 100 degree C.