Abstract: In this paper, the austenitization and homogenization process of Q235 plain carbon steel during reheating is predicted using a two-dimensional model which has been developed for the prediction of diffusive phase transformation (e.g. α to γ). The diffusion equations are solved within each phase (α and γ) and an explicit finite volume technique formulated for a regular hexagonal grid are used. The discrete interface is represented by special volume elements α/γ, an volume element α undergoes a transition to an interface state before it becomes γ. The procedure allows us to handle the displacement of the interface while respecting the flux condition at the interface. The simulated microstructure shows the dissolution of ferrite particles in the austenite matrix is presented at different stages of the phase transformation. Specifically, the influence of the microstructure scale and the heating rate on the phase transformation kinetics has been investigated. The experimental results agree well with the simulated ones.

Key words: Austenitization, Phase transformation, Finite volume technique, Microstructure, Homogenization