Process Design & Prediction Utility Tools
VCarb
MatSim
MatSim
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.
MatSim
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.
GCarb
GNitro
GNitro
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.
GNitro
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.
VCarb
Analysis Type and Material Definition
Process Definition for Design and Prediction
Analysis Type and Material Definition
VCarb can be used to predict current low-pressure carburization (LPC) schedules or be used to design an LPC schedule given certain input parameters and is defined through the Analysis Type.
VCarb uses the DANTE material database and DANTE diffusion and carbide morphology models to predict or design low pressure carburization schedules. Base carbon and alloy variation from the nominal composition can be considered.
Geometry and Controls Definition
Process Definition for Design and Prediction
Analysis Type and Material Definition
The VCarb Geometry definition is used to evaluate curved surfaces, if applicable, to the diffusion behavior (large radii will behave like flat surfaces). Part radius, load surface area (used for gas consumption calculation only), and model thickness (total carbon case should not exceed this value) can be defined.
The VCarb Controls include unit selections for temperature (℃/℉), time (sec./min.), pressure (mbar/Torr), length (mm/in.), and flow rate (L/sec., L/min., cc/sec., cf/min., cf/hr.). The type of gas/gas mixture used is represented by the Gas Type Factor and the rate of deposition of carbon onto the part surface is controlled by the Carburizing Efficiency factor. Finally, the saturation limit of carbon in austenite is defined (values from DANTE material database, calculated based on alloy composition, and user defined).
Process Definition for Design and Prediction
Process Definition for Design and Prediction
Process Definition for Design and Prediction
The VCarb Process definition is used differently depending on the Analysis Type chosen.
Prediction: The Process description for Prediction is used to enter a LPC schedule in terms of step time, temperature, and the partial pressure of the carbon carrying gas.
Process Design: The Process description for Design is used to define the furnace roundup time (time resolution of control equipment), several process targets (carburizing temperature, partial pressure of the carbon carrying gas, effective case depth (ECD), carbon at ECD (VCarb does not calculate hardness, so carbon is needed to define the ECD), and the final surface carbon), and several model parameters that can influence the final carbon profile (depth of monitor point and upper and lower limits of the monitor point).
MatSim
Material Definition
Material Definition
Material Definition
MatSim makes use of the DANTE material database and the DANTE phase transformation and mechanical material models to evaluate thermal processes. Base carbon, carbon in carbide, carbide size (factor only), initial microstructure, and alloy variation from the nominal composition can all be considered in the Material definition.
Process Definition
Material Definition
Material Definition
The MatSim Process definition is used to describe the thermal process being simulated. Data can be entered manually or loaded as a text file. Two options are available:
Time-Temperature: Data is entered as time-temperature pairs. Time zero should be defined to describe the initial temperature.
Rate-Target Temperature-Step Time: Data is entered as heating (positive value) and/or cooling (negative value) rates, target temperature, and the total time of the heating or cooling step. Multiple steps can be defined to simulate an entire thermal processing schedule.
Controls Definition
Material Definition
Controls Definition
The MatSim Controls definition includes selecting a Phase Transformation Kinetics Mode that uses the desired Austenite Formation kinetics (rate based/equilibrium) and Tempering kinetics (active/inactive), as well has activating/deactivating the DANTE Carbon Separation model (for carbon rejection during ferrite formation) and DANTE Carbide Dissolution model. Control of the maximum changes for phases, temperature, and carbon is also provided. Hardness units can also be changed (HRC/HV).
GCarb
Analysis Type and Material Definition
Process Definition for Prediction and Design
Analysis Type and Material Definition
GCarb can be used to predict current gas carburization processes or be used to design a gas carburization process given certain input parameters. Prediction or design is defined through the Analysis Type.
GCarb uses the DANTE material database and DANTE diffusion and carbide morphology models to predict or design gas carburization schedules. Base carbon and alloy variation from the nominal composition can be considered.
Geometry and Controls Definition
Process Definition for Prediction and Design
Analysis Type and Material Definition
The GCarb Geometry definition is used to evaluate curved surfaces, if applicable, to the diffusion behavior (large radii will behave like flat surfaces). Part radius and model thickness (total carbon case should not exceed this value) can be defined.
The GCarb Controls include unit selections for temperature (℃/℉), time (sec./min.), and length (mm/in.). The type of gas/gas mixture used is represented by the Gas Type Factor.
Process Definition for Prediction and Design
Process Definition for Prediction and Design
Process Definition for Prediction and Design
The GCarb Process definition is used differently depending on the Analysis Type chosen.
Prediction: The Process description for Prediction is used to enter a gas carburization schedule in terms of step time, temperature, and carbon potential. Multiple process temperatures and/or carbon potentials can be simulated.
Process Design: The Process description for Design is used to define the furnace roundup time (time resolution of control equipment), several process targets (effective case depth (ECD) and carbon at ECD (GCarb does not calculate hardness, so carbon is needed to define the ECD)), and the total number of carburization steps. GCarb predicts the total time needed to reach the specified ECD of the last step, so processes containing more than one step must have all step times prior to the last step defined.
GNitro
Analysis Type and Material Definition
Process Definition for Prediction and Design
Analysis Type and Material Definition
GNitro can be used to predict current gas carburization processes or be used to design a gas carburization process given certain input parameters. Prediction or design is defined through the Analysis Type.
GNitro uses the DANTE material database and DANTE 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
Process Definition for Prediction and Design
Analysis Type and Material Definition
The GNitro Geometry definition is used to evaluate curved surfaces, if applicable, to the diffusion behavior (large radii will behave like flat surfaces). Part radius and model thickness (total nitrogen case should not exceed this value) can be defined.
The GNitro Controls include unit selections for temperature (℃/℉), time (sec./min.), and length (mm/in.). The type of gas/gas mixture used is represented by the Gas Type Factor.
Process Definition for Prediction and Design
Process Definition for Prediction and Design
Process Definition for Prediction and Design
The GNitro Process definition is used differently depending on the Analysis Type chosen.
Prediction: 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.
Process Design: The Process description for Design is used to define the furnace roundup time (time resolution of control equipment), several process targets (effective case depth (ECD) and nitrogen at ECD (GNitro does not calculate hardness, so nitrogen is needed to define the ECD)), and the total number of nitriding steps. GNitro predicts the total time needed to reach the specified ECD of the last step, so processes containing more than one step must have all step times prior to the last step defined.