FROST-Tools for development of stainless steels of the future

Purpose and goal

The best computational thermodynamics tools available world-wide for application on the development of stainless are now in use by the FROST project partners. Besides these tools, the project has addressed and solved a number of critical issues regarding thermodynamic calculations of stainless steels and has provided an important platform for exchange of scientific knowledge between stainless manufacturers and software developers. The deliverables from this project will be the tools of choice when designing the future stainless steels and optimising critical heat treatments.

Expected results and effects

The deliverables from this project are now is in use among the project partners, has been used successfully in industrial applications and are also used in a number of ongoing research projects. Two workshops have provided advertising, dissemination and opportunities for discussions outside the project group. This project has provided unique tools and an insight which will ensure a key advantage, compared to international competitors. This will after the end of the project help to maintain the leading position world-wide of the Swedish stainless steel industry.

Planned approach and implementation

The project was divided in: equilibria for solidus/liquidus, matrix phases and secondary phases. Phase 1 consisted of defining and outlining alloy systems needing revision based on database and stainless experience, 2 of new models being derived and 3 application to higher order systems & critical applications by the project partners. The computational work was supported by laboratory heats manufactured within the project to ascertain critical stainless issues, experimental results provided by all partners and extensive metallography: neutron diffraction, TEM, SEM and OM.