Simulation of bainite and martensite formation using a novel cellular automata method

A novel two-dimensional cellular automata model for simulating the formation of lath martensite and bainite in steels during cooling is presented. The model is parameterized using fitted Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov (JMAK) and Koistinen-Marburger equations and by comparing predictions to scanning electron microscopy images of the actual microstructures after cooling. The results of this simulation can be used to estimate the fractions, shapes and sizes of bainite and martensite for different cooling rates, which should offer new possibilities for the qualitative estimation of the mechanical properties of high-strength steels with bainitic – martensitic microstructures formed from recrystallized or thermomechanically deformed austenite.