MetalGuy10
Materials
- Aug 6, 2010
- 17
I have used SteCal software 3.0 for two years, and I would like to get your input regarding your applications, acceptability of data output, and other software that may be comparable or better. Thanks
My impression:
The software is not perfect when comparing actual data to predicted results, but I was able to use the software to compare harden-ability between several chemistry grades that were supplied by three different steel mills for producing the same API Q&T product.
Version 3.0 does not allow for analyzing Vanadium directly, but the manual give a work around using Mo and a multiplication factor. Vanadium helps to keep grain size finer while increasing harden-ability; I would prefer software that had a straight calculation for vanadium.
The software tempering temperatures outputs for various steel grades provide some base line results, but for some actual steel grades that I used, there was time at temperature error of 25 F or greater discrepancy for the expected mechanical properties. I suspect some of the discrepancy is related to as quench hardness / true quench severity and true time at temperatures because the items that are heat treated do not instantaneously reach tempering temperature. From my experience, the importance of checking actual as quench hardness cannot be understated; during the winter months, the hardness was slightly higher than the summer, which also required more tempering temperature or tempering time during the winter.
The software (3.0) has great limitations when comparing induction tempering to furnace tempering. The minimum tempering time for SteCal is .10 hr ~ 6 min, but actual induction tempering times are likely between 3-6 min depending upon planet rotation and other mysterious factors. Induction tempering temperatures are much higher than using a conventional furnace so good temperature control and reduced steel grade chemistry variation are essential. There are some tricks for using SteCal by using Hollomon Jaffe methods for time temperature equivalency, but having software that is more friendly toward induction heat treating would be a plus.
As a training tool, the software has excellent merits for the novice. As the elements C, Mn, Ni, Mo and Cr are changed the corresponding ttt curves are visibly modified with the chemistry changes. The effects of Boron additions and as quench austenite grain size can also be demonstrated to newer students.
My impression:
The software is not perfect when comparing actual data to predicted results, but I was able to use the software to compare harden-ability between several chemistry grades that were supplied by three different steel mills for producing the same API Q&T product.
Version 3.0 does not allow for analyzing Vanadium directly, but the manual give a work around using Mo and a multiplication factor. Vanadium helps to keep grain size finer while increasing harden-ability; I would prefer software that had a straight calculation for vanadium.
The software tempering temperatures outputs for various steel grades provide some base line results, but for some actual steel grades that I used, there was time at temperature error of 25 F or greater discrepancy for the expected mechanical properties. I suspect some of the discrepancy is related to as quench hardness / true quench severity and true time at temperatures because the items that are heat treated do not instantaneously reach tempering temperature. From my experience, the importance of checking actual as quench hardness cannot be understated; during the winter months, the hardness was slightly higher than the summer, which also required more tempering temperature or tempering time during the winter.
The software (3.0) has great limitations when comparing induction tempering to furnace tempering. The minimum tempering time for SteCal is .10 hr ~ 6 min, but actual induction tempering times are likely between 3-6 min depending upon planet rotation and other mysterious factors. Induction tempering temperatures are much higher than using a conventional furnace so good temperature control and reduced steel grade chemistry variation are essential. There are some tricks for using SteCal by using Hollomon Jaffe methods for time temperature equivalency, but having software that is more friendly toward induction heat treating would be a plus.
As a training tool, the software has excellent merits for the novice. As the elements C, Mn, Ni, Mo and Cr are changed the corresponding ttt curves are visibly modified with the chemistry changes. The effects of Boron additions and as quench austenite grain size can also be demonstrated to newer students.