Analysis of Induction Hardening by 3-dimensional FEM Considering Coupling of Induction Heating, Thermal Elasto-Viscoplasticity Damage and Phase Transformation

Induction hardening is one of the methods of heat treatment for steel members. It is difficult to determine the optimum heating conditions for steel members of complicated shape so that the computational tool is necessary for the simulation of the behaviors of those members in induction hardening. The present study is concerned with the development of the 3-dimensional finite element method considering induction heating, thermal elasto-viscoplasticity with damage and phase transformation. Numerical studies for the process of induction hardening of steel bars have been done to demonstrate the validity of the present method