Heat Treatment (Quenching) Simulation

Category: 熱解析 | Integrated 2026-04-06
CAE visualization for heat treatment quench theory - technical simulation diagram
熱処理(焼入れ)シミュレーション

Theory and Physics

Overview

🧑‍🎓

Professor! Today's topic is about heat treatment (quenching) simulation, right? What is it like?


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Prediction of temperature history and residual stress during the rapid cooling process of steel. Modeling the cooling stages: film boiling, nucleate boiling, and convection.



🧑‍🎓

So, if you cut corners in the rapid cooling process of steel, you'll face serious consequences later. I'll keep that in mind!


Governing Equations




$$ \rho c_p \frac{\partial T}{\partial t} = \nabla\cdot(k\nabla T) $$
$$ h(T) = h_{film}(T_s) + h_{boil}(T_s) $$




Discretization Method

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How do you actually solve these equations on a computer?


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We use spatial discretization via the Finite Element Method (FEM). We assemble the element stiffness matrices and construct the global stiffness equation.


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We perform transformation to the weak form (variational form) and use formulation via the Galerkin method using test functions and shape functions. The choice of element type (low-order elements vs. high-order elements, full integration vs. reduced integration) directly affects the trade-off between solution accuracy and computational cost.




Matrix Solution Algorithms

🧑‍🎓

What exactly do you mean by matrix solution algorithms?


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We solve the simultaneous equations using direct methods (LU decomposition, Cholesky decomposition) or iterative methods (CG method, GMRES method). For large-scale problems, preconditioned iterative methods are effective.



SolverClassificationMemory UsageApplicable Scale
LU decompositionDirect MethodO(n²)Small to Medium Scale
Cholesky decompositionDirect Method (Symmetric Positive Definite)O(n²)Small to Medium Scale
PCG MethodIterative MethodO(n)Large Scale
GMRES methodIterative MethodO(n·m)Large Scale / Non-symmetric
AMG PreconditionerPreprocessingO(n)Very Large Scale
🧑‍🎓

So, if you cut corners in the Finite Element Method part, you'll face serious consequences later. I'll keep that in mind!


Implementation in Commercial Tools

🧑‍🎓

So, what software can be used to perform heat treatment (quenching) simulation?


Tool NameDeveloper/CurrentMain File Formats
Ansys FluentAnsys Inc..cas, .dat, .msh, .jou
Simcenter STAR-CCM+Siemens Digital Industries Software.sim, .java, .csv
Abaqus FEA (SIMULIA)Dassault Systèmes SIMULIA.inp, .odb, .cae, .sta, .msg
Ansys Mechanical (formerly ANSYS Structural)Ansys Inc..cdb, .rst, .db, .ans, .mac
COMSOL MultiphysicsCOMSOL AB.mph

Vendor Lineage and Product Integration History

🧑‍🎓

Does each software have a dramatic origin story?



Ansys Fluent

🧑‍🎓

Next is the story about Ansys Fluent, right? What's it about?


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Developed by Fluent Inc. Acquired by Ansys in 2006. A general-purpose CFD solver based on unstructured grids.

Current affiliation: Ansys Inc.



Simcenter STAR-CCM+

🧑‍🎓

Next is the story about Simcenter STAR, right? What's it about?


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Developed by CD-adapco. Acquired by Siemens in 2016 and integrated into the Simcenter brand. Known for polyhedral meshing.

Current affiliation: Siemens Digital Industries Software


🧑‍🎓

After hearing this, I finally understand why development is so important!



Abaqus FEA (SIMULIA)

🧑‍🎓

What exactly is Abaqus FEA?


🎓

Developed in 1978 by HKS (Hibbitt, Karlsson & Sorensen). Acquired by Dassault Systèmes in 2005 and integrated into the SIMULIA brand.

Current affiliation: Dassault Systèmes SIMULIA


🧑‍🎓

Wow, the story about development is incredibly interesting! Please tell me more.


File Formats and Interoperability

🧑‍🎓

Are there any points to note when transferring data between different software?


FormatExtensionTypeOverview
STEP.stp/.stepNeutral CADISO 10303 compliant 3D CAD data exchange format. Supports geometry + PMI.
IGES.igs/.igesNeutral CADEarly CAD data exchange standard. Has issues with surface data compatibility. Transition to STEP is progressing.
CGNS.cgnsCFD DataCFD General Notation System. Standard exchange format for CFD results.
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