Flexible implementation of new steel grades for increased component performance (FLIMPS)

Purpose and goal

The purpose of the project has been to develop and improve the implementation of new steels in the low-pressure processes low-pressure carburizing (LPC) and plasma nitriding (PN), through digital tools for the preparation of the furnace processes. The goal is to increase the performance of heat-treated components. Calculations with software from Thermo-Calc give very good agreement with hardening results. For plasma nitriding, it is difficult to use calculations because it is difficult to determine boundary conditions.

Expected results and effects

Results from the LPC are used for implementation in guides and scripts at Thermo-Calc. Furnace suppliers´ software gave different results among themselves and did not agree well with experimental results. Calculations with Thermo-Calc´s software gave results that agreed well. A more tailored cost-effective software is needed as a complement to furnace suppliers´ software. For plasma nitriding, the calculation approach in the project did not give the desired results. Here, further development is required, including with regard to boundary conditions in the plasma process.

Planned approach and implementation

Two work packages focusing on low pressure carburizing and plasma nitriding respectively. To define boundary conditions for the more advanced calculations with Thermo-Calcs software, different recipes and steel grades were evaluated. The hardening response were evaluated for different recipes and steel grades. Furnace suppliers´ software was evaluated in parallell with advanced software from Thermo-Calc. For the plasma nitriding, more high-alloy steels were nitrided and evaluated with regard to microstructure. A problem that arises is a passivation effect on the steel.