A coupled phase-field – Cahn-Hilliard model for lower bainitic transformation

The lower bainitic transformation is highly dependent on carbon diffusion. Bainite consists of bainitic ferrite, residual austenite and carbides. The numerical modeling of the interaction between these phases and the carbon is extremely demanding. The goal of this work is to describe the formation of carbides in lower bainite. To model the evolution of a bainitic sheaf a phase-field model is coupled with a Cahn-Hilliard equation simulating the diffusion. The system of equations is solved using the finite element method. Numerical examples show the growth of the ferrite and the following uphill diffusion within this phase. At accumulation points of carbon, carbides are precipitated. (© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)