A new finite element model is developed to predict the deformations, stresses, phase compositions and carbon concentration gradients that arise as a consequence of the physical processes involved in a carburization and quenching process of a large steel gear. Firstly, the diffusion of carbon at elevated temperatures in the austenitic range is studied in a diffusion model. Secondly, the calculated carbon concentration distribution is used as an input for a model that couples the thermal, metallographic and mechanical effects during the quenching process and calculates the evolution of the temperature, phase composition and deformation history at any point in the gear. Two effects typical for oil quenching of large gears are incorporated in the model. The first is the influence of the gear's own weight while hanging on chains before, during and after entering the quench bath. The second is the three-dimensional effect that it takes time between the moment the gear enters the oil quenching bath and the moment when the gear is fully immersed. The non-uniform temperature distribution over the gear's axis causes a non-homogeneous plastic deformation. A diffusion-thermo-metallo-mechanical model that takes these effects into account is compared with a model that does not. The results show that these effects should be incorporated.
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