A Methodology for Predicting the Phase Fraction and Microhardness of Welded Joints Using Integrated Models

Understanding the phase transformation and fraction affected by thermal changes is imperative for ensuring the safety of a welded joint. This study proposes a methodology for predicting the phase transformation and fraction of a welded joint using an integrated model. The integrated model includes a heat transfer model and procedures for predicting phase fraction and microhardness. The heat transfer model was developed to simulate the heat transfer in a welded joint and obtain the thermal cycles. The procedure consists of obtaining the peak temperature, austenite fraction, prior austenite grain size (PAGS), and t(8/5) (the cooling time between 800 and 500 °C). A database was constructed based on the continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagram using PAGS and t(8/5) as the variables. The phase fraction was then predicted by considering the PAGS with t(8/5) from the database. The predicted phase fraction and microhardness were in good agreement with those determined experimentally, demonstrating the reliability of the methodology. This methodology provides a more realistic understanding of phase transformation and facilitates the prediction of the phase fraction and microhardness under various welding conditions that have experimental limitations.