DANTE Utilities

Originally developed as standalone software tools to make quick and efficient assessments of process and material parameters, Dante utilities use the same materials model as the full FEA software, but with simplified modeling assumptions. This allows heat treaters as well as engineers and metallurgists to benefit from heat treatment modeling.

The scope of each utility varies; certain tools are used for process design and analysis, others are used for assessing steel material grade behavior such as phase transformations under processing, while others are useful for fitting material properties and process characterization.

PROCESS DESIGN & PREDICTION

VCarb

VCarb

VCarb is used to design the Boost/Diffuse schedules of a low pressure (vacuum) carburization process according to the specified case depth and surface carbon. VCarb can also predict the carbon profile in terms of depth for a user specified Boost/Diffuse schedule.
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MatSim

MatSim

MatSim is a powerful utility that predicts temperature, hardness, volume fractions of phases, and strain for any heating/quenching process. Heating/quenching schedules can be supplied as time-temperature tabular data or rate-temperature-time tabular data.
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GCarb

GCarb

GCarb is used to design the time needed in a gas carburization process to reach a desired case depth by specifying the carbon potential. GCarb can also predict the carbon profile in terms of depth for a user specified gas carburization schedule.
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GNitro

GNitro

GNitro is used to design the time needed in a gas nitriding process to reach a desired case depth by specifying the nitrogen potential. GNitro can also predict the nitrogen profile in terms of depth for a user specified gas nitriding schedule.
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HTPSim

HTPSim

HTPSim is used to model the heat treatment process from start to finish. Any process step that can be described thermally, or chemical diffusion processes like carburizing and nitriding can be simulated.
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Material Characterization: Prediction

TTTGen

TTTGen

TTTGen is used to generate TTT and CCT curves for steel alloys in the DANTE material database.
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CHTGen

CHTGen

CHTGen is used to generate continuous heating curves for steel alloys in the DANTE material database.
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Jominy Predictor

Jominy Predictor

Jominy Predictor is used to predict the hardness and microstructural profiles of a Jominy bar made of steel alloys contained in the DANTE material database.
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DI Predictor

DI Predictor

DI Predictor is used to predict the ideal diameter of steel alloys contained in the DANTE material database.
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Material Characterization: Fitting

DilotFit

DilotFit

DilotFit is used to fit diffusive and martensitic phase transformation kinetics to the DANTE phase transformation models using dilatometry experimental data or from JMatPro generated data.
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MecFit

MecFit

MecFit is used to fit mechanical properties to the DANTE material models from tension/compression tests or from JMatPro generated data.
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TTTFit

TTTFit

TTTFit is used to fit diffusive phase transformation kinetics to the DANTE models using TTT curves. TTT curves can be generated from 3rd party software or constructed manually.
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HTCFit

HTCFit

HTCFit is used to fit heat transfer coefficients (HTCs) from time-temperature data. HTCs can be fit as a constant, a function of part surface temperature, or a function of time.
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VCarb

ANALYSIS TYPE AND MATERIAL DEFINITION​

VCarb is used to predict low-pressure carburization (LPC) schedules or to design an LPC schedule for specified input parameters. VCarb uses the DANTE material database and diffusion and carbide morphology models to predict or design these LPC schedules.

GEOMETRY AND CONTROLS DEFINITION

VCarb addresses both curved or flat surface geometries. Load surface area is used for gas consumption calculation.
VCarb Controls include unit selections for temperature, time, dimensions, and pressure and flow rate during a pulse step. The carrier gas mixture is defined by the Gas Type Factor and the deposition rate of carbon onto the part surface is defined by the Carburizing Efficiency Factor. The saturation limit of carbon in austenite is defined from DANTE material database, calculated based on alloy composition, or defined by the user.

PROCESS DEFINITION FOR DESIGN AND PREDICTION

The VCarb Process definition is used differently depending on the Analysis Type chosen. For Prediction, the LPC schedule in terms of step time, temperature, and the partial pressure of the carbon carrying gas is entered, and the carbon and final hardness profiles are calculated. For Process Design, process parameters such as carburizing temperature, gas type and pressure, aim effective case depth (ECD), carbon level at ECD, and the final surface carbon are used to design the LPC schedule.

MatSim

MATERIAL DEFINITION

MatSim uses the phase transformation and mechanical data in the DANTE material database to evaluate thermal processes. Base carbon, carbon in carbide form, carbide size factor, initial microstructure, and alloy variation from the nominal composition can all be considered.

PROCESS DEFINITION

The MatSim Process definition is used to describe the thermal process being simulated. Two options are available for evaluating processes. Time-temperature data can be entered or read from a file as data pairs. Alternatively, results for heating and/or cooling may be calculated from user specified target temperatures, heating or cooling rates, and process step times.

CONTROLS DEFINITION

The MatSim Controls definition includes selection of Phase Transformation Kinetics Modes for heating and cooling, autotempering kinetics (active/inactive), as well as activating/deactivating a Carbon Separation model and a Carbide Dissolution model. Control of the maximum changes for phases, temperature, and carbon is also provided.

GCarb

ANALYSIS TYPE AND MATERIAL DEFINITION

GCarb is used to predict carbon and hardness profiles for user specified carburization processes or to design a gas carburization schedule to meet user defined process results. GCarb uses the DANTE material database for these calculations.

GEOMETRY AND CONTROLS DEFINITION

GCarb addresses both curved or flat surface geometries. Load surface area is used for gas consumption calculation.

The GCarb Controls include unit selections for temperature, time, and dimensions. The type of gas/gas mixture used is represented by the Gas Type Factor.

PROCESS DEFINITION FOR PREDICTION AND DESIGN

For Process Prediction the user enters a gas carburization schedule in terms of step time, temperature, and carbon potential. Multiple process temperatures and/or carbon potentials can be simulated.

For Process Design the user specifies results to be achieved by the carburization process, such as surface carbon level, effective case depth (ECD) and carbon level at ECD. Boost – diffuse processes can be designed, as well as single step carburization processes.

GNitro

ANALYSIS TYPE AND MATERIAL DEFINITION

GNitro is used to predict results for specific nitriding processes or to design a nitriding process to achieve user specified results.

GNitro uses the DANTE material database and diffusion and nitride morphology models to predict or design gas nitriding schedules. Base nitrogen, base carbon, and alloy variation from the nominal composition can be considered.

GEOMETRY AND CONTROLS DEFINITION

Geometry capabilities of GNitro include both curved and flat surfaces.

The GNitro Controls include unit selections for temperature, time, and dimensions. The type of gas/gas mixture used is represented by the Gas Type Factor.

PROCESS DEFINITION FOR PREDICTION AND DESIGN

The GNitro Process definition is used differently depending on the Analysis Type chosen. The Process description for Prediction is used to enter a gas nitriding schedule in terms of step time, temperature, and nitrogen potential. Multiple process temperatures and/or nitrogen potentials can be simulated. The Process description for Design is used to define the furnace roundup time, process targets such as effective case depth (ECD) and nitrogen level at ECD, and the total number of nitriding steps. GNitro predicts the total time needed to reach the specified ECD of the last process step.

HTPSim

HTPSim can be used to simulate the furnace time needed for heating, as well as hardness and phase transformations from given cooling processes. Many more process can be modeled with HTPSim, like deep freeze, tempering, precipitation hardening, and more.

HTPSim uses the same validated material models of full DANTE FEA package, combining the phase transformation models and the carbon/nitrogen diffusion and carbide/nitride morphology in one complete process model.

HTPSim is easy to use

  • Part section size is simplified to equivalent size, and the FEA model is built in the background
  • Equipment can be selected when setting up the process to avoid the procedure of applying boundary conditions

HTPSim can provide outputs such as hardness, metallurgical phase, and carbon and nitrogen profiles, for a single point over time, or a cross-sectional profile for a single point in the process.

TTTGen

MATERIAL DEFINITION​

TTTGen uses the DANTE material database transformation kinetics and DANTE material models to generate TTT or CCT diagrams. Carbon in solution, carbon in carbide, and alloy variation from the nominal composition can be considered. TTT and CCT generation use the same Material definition.

PROCESS DEFINITION

TTT Process definition (shown) is defined as the upper and lower temperature bounds and the isothermal holding time. CCT Process definition is defined as starting and ending temperatures and fastest and slowest cooling times.

CONTROLS DEFINITION

Both, TTT and CCT, take advantage of the same Controls definition. Controls include activating/deactivating the DANTE Tempering model and the DANTE Carbon Separation model (for carbon rejection during ferrite formation). Control of the maximum changes for phases, temperature, and carbon is also provided. Units can also be changed (℃/℉ and sec./min.).

CHTGen

MATERIAL DEFINITION​

CHTGen uses the DANTE material database transformation kinetics and DANTE material models to generate continuous heating diagrams (CHT) and isothermal transformation heating diagrams (TTTH). Carbon in solution, carbon in carbide, carbide size, initial phase composition, and alloy variation from the nominal composition can all be considered. CHT and TTTH generation use the same Material definition.

PROCESS DEFINITION

CHT Process definition (shown) is defined as starting and ending temperatures and fastest and slowest heating times. TTTH Process definition is defined as the upper and lower temperature bounds and the isothermal holding time.

CONTROLS DEFINITION

Both, CHT and TTTH, take advantage of the same Controls definition. Controls include choosing rate based or equilibrium austenite transformation kinetics, activating/deactivating the DANTE Carbon Separation model (for carbon rejection during ferrite formation) and the DANTE Carbide Decomposition model. Control of the maximum changes for phases, temperature, and carbon is also provided.

Jominy Predictor

MATERIAL DEFINITION​

Jominy Predictor uses the DANTE material database transformation kinetics and DANTE material models to generate Jominy curves. Carbon in solution, carbon in carbide, and alloy variation from the nominal composition can be considered.

CONTROLS DEFINITION

Controls for Jominy Predictor include activating/deactivating the DANTE Tempering model and the DANTE Carbon Separation model (for carbon rejection during ferrite formation). Control of the maximum changes for phases, temperature, and carbon is provided. Hardness units can also be changed (HRC/HV.).

OUTPUTS

In addition to the hardness profile as a function of Jominy point depth, Jominy Predictor also outputs the phase fractions as a function of depth.

DI Predictor

MATERIAL DEFINITION​

DI Predictor uses the DANTE material database transformation kinetics and DANTE material models to predict the ideal diameter of a steel alloy. Carbon in solution, carbon in carbide, and alloy variation from the nominal composition can be considered.

CONTROLS DEFINITION

Controls for DI Predictor include activating/deactivating the DANTE Tempering model and the DANTE Carbon Separation model (for carbon rejection during ferrite formation). Control of the maximum changes for phases, temperature, and carbon is provided. Hardness units can also be changed (HRC/HV.).

OUTPUTS

In addition to the Ideal Diameter, provided in millimeters (mm) under the plot, Jominy Predictor also predicts the hardness and phase fraction profiles as functions of depth.

DilotFit

PARAMETER DEFINITION​

The DilotFit Parameter definition allows the starting values and the upper and lower parameter values to be defined for fitting data to the DANTE phase transformation model.

EXPERIMENTAL DATA & CONTROLS DEFINITION

The DilotFit Experimental Data definition is used to load a data file containing experimental dilatometry data. Phase transformation data (temperature, time, and amount of phase formed) can also be generated using 3rd party software.

The DilotFit Controls definition allows the maximum time step and maximum temperature change to be defined

FITTING TYPES, OPTIONS, AND METHODS

Fitting Type: Allows strain or phase fraction formed to be used as the fitting criteria. Generally, Strain is used for dilatometry data and Phase is used for simulated phase data from a 3rd party software.

Phase Options: Allows for the fitting of individual phases or a combination of phases (e.g., if continuous cooling dilatometry is performed).

Fitting Method: A number of fitting methods are available, depending on the type of data being fit. Each Fitting Method has corresponding Curve Fitting Method options depending on the algorithm used for fitting.

MecFit

PARAMETER DEFINITION​

The MecFit Parameter definition allows the starting values and the upper and lower parameter values to be defined for fitting data to the DANTE mechanical model.

PROPERTY & CONDITION DEFINITIONS

The MecFit Properties definition is used to define the elastic parameters (Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio) as a function of temperature. The elastic parameters are not fit from the experimental data.

The MecFit Conditions definition is used to load a data file containing experimental tension/compression data. Stress-strain data as a function of temperature and phase can also be generated using 3rd party software.

FITTING OPTIONS: PHASES & METHODS

Phase Options: Allows for selection of the individual phase being fit.

Processing Method: A number of fitting and plotting methods are available, depending on the type of fitting or analysis being conducted.

TTTFit

PARAMETER DEFINITION​

The TTTFit Parameter definition allows the starting values and the upper and lower parameter values to be defined for fitting data to the DANTE phase transformation model.

DATA DEFINITION

The TTTFit Data definition is used to load a data file containing phase transformation data (temperature, time, and amount of phase formed). The data file can be constructed manually or by using data generated from a 3rd party software.

CONTROLS DEFINITION

The TTTFit Controls definition allows the fitting method to be selected, as well as setting the number of fitting loops and the size of the time step.

HTCFit

PARAMETER DEFINITION​

The HTCFit Parameter definition allows the starting values and the upper and lower parameter values to be defined as a function of temperature for time-temperature fitting data for thermal boundary definitions.

DATA DEFINITION

The HTCFit Data definition is used to load a data file containing time-temperature data (Data File). A file containing the geometry of the probe or part used to gather the time-temperature data is also required (CQT File). Different surfaces can also be considered to have different HTC definitions, but must be defined prior to fitting.

CONTROLS & AMBIENT TEMPERATURE DEFINITION

The HTCFit Controls definition allows the HTC function type to be selected (time or temperature), as well as setting the number of fitting loops.

The HTCFit Ambient Temperature definition allows the ambient temperature to be defined as a constant or a function of time. The ambient temperature is not fit and must be defined prior to fitting.

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